Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
AMPULLA
Unique ID: PUBLIC-459387
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete medieval (1150-1500 AD) lead pilgrim's ampulla, missing its neck and side lugs. The body of the ampulla widens towards the centre, and then narrows creating a circular shape. The top of the ampulla is broken off in an old break. The obverse is decorated with a large crown, with a raised cross-hatching surrounding it. On the reverse is a raised cross, surrounded by a raised circle. This is possibly representing a wheel. Round this is more raised cross-hatching. The ampulla is a grey colour. The ampulla is 35mm in length, 33mm in width, and is 4.3mm at the maximum thickness. The ampulla weighs 21.19g.
The ampulla is similar to one in Spencer 1990, 61, 139, although the wheel on the reverse is a different design.
Notes:
Ampulla are known from the late 12th century and were replaced by the popularity of pilgrim badges in the early 14th century, but are thought to have continued in use to the end of the 15th century. They were often worn on clothing, and used to hold holy water from shrines, the lugs or handles used for attachment. They are often found in rural locations, and it has been suggested that this was to bless the fields (Anderson, 2010).
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1150
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 35 mm
Width: 33 mm
Thickness: 4.3 mm
Weight: 21.19 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 10th May 2017
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Sevenoaks (District)
Parish or ward: Fawkham (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TQ5865
Four figure Latitude: 51.36209638
Four figure longitude: 0.26807314
1:25K map: TQ5865
1:10K map: TQ56NE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: PUBLIC-34C90A
Object type: AMPULLA
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An incomplete cast lead medieval (1150-1500 AD) pilgrim's ampulla, missing its neck and probable side lugs. The body of the ampulla widens to…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: KENT-3DE3D8
Object type: AMPULLA
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A near complete but warped and worn lead-alloy pilgrim Ampulla from the medieval period c. 1150-1500.
Description:
It is formed of a ho…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: KENT-8BA46C
Object type: AMPULLA
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete but worn and warped lead-alloy pilgrim's Ampulla from the medieval period c. 1150-1500.
Description: It is formed of a hollow c…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618