VESSEL

A complete copper alloy vessel or ampulla of Medieval dating (AD 1100 to AD 1300).

The vessel is shaped like an ampulla, with a bulbous rounded body, narrow neck and open oval/circular side handles, but unlike the typical pilgrim souvenirs it is not made of lead alloy. A casting seam is present down the length of the flask. No other decoration is present on the body of the vessel.The base is rounded.

A wooden stopper is present, which has a circular cross section, and a U shaped slot down 2 thirds of its length. Part of the stopper has been carved out to make a rectangular handle.

The flask measures 58.5 mm in length, 58.3 mm wide (across handles), 46.8 mm wide (across base of body) and 47.2 mm thick (across base of body), 26.0 mm thick across neck. It weighs 150.3 g.

The stopper measures 26.7 mm in length, 12.9 mm diameter and it weighs 1.7 g. The handle part measures 5.6 mm in length, 11.3 mm wide and 8.1 mm thick.

The flask is a mid grey to green colour, with an even surface patina.

It is possible that the vessel was used as a holy oil flask possibly from a travelling chrismatory, or set of three holy oils used in the medieval church: oleum infirmorum for the sick; oleum catechumenorum for baptism; and chrisma or balm, used for confirmation, ordination and certain consecrations.

Similar examples are recorded on the PAS database (cf. ESS-E60906, WILT-7942F2, PUBLIC-68A83B, WAW-FF8B08, DENO-333244, SUR-FA2AB0). They have often been found with the name of their contents engraved on the outside.Traditional interpretations of these vessels are as flasks for holy oil. It is possible that it is from a travelling chrismatory, or set of three holy oils used in the Medieval church:oleum infirmorum for the sick; oleum catechumenorum for baptism; and chrisma or balm, used for confirmation, ordination and certain consecrations. They are considered to be Medieval in dating, c. AD 1100 to c. AD 1300.

Compare the three 'pewter' vessels in the surviving chrismatory casket found at St Martin's Church, Canterbury, in 1849 (Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London for 16th December 1880, vol. 8, 430-431).