PILGRIM BADGE

An incomplete medieval lead pilgrim badge, dating circa 1400-1500. The brooch is disc shaped with moulded perimeter decoration consisting of a raised ring and dot border. Within the perimeter is a moulded male adult face with long straggly beard. The image is probably a Vernicle (image of Christ as on the Veronica) or possibly an image of John the Baptist.

The reverse is undecorated but bears the majority of the iron pin and catch plate. There are two holes in the centre of the brooch, one large and one smaller, owing to abrasion.

The overall dimensions are as follows: 19mm in diameter and 2.94g in weight.

Similar 'Veronica' pilgrim badges on the database are LON-C52131, NMS-0E5046, BUC-309E0D, SOM-CD6D22 and SWYOR-5B34C7.

The Museum of London has an identical badge in its collection 8666b, they write "This is a vernicle, a souvenir of the Veronica in Rome (the Veronica was the veil of St Veronica). Veronica had been moved to pity by the sight of Christ carrying his cross and gave him her veil to wipe his forehead. When he gave it back to her, the image of his face had been miraculously impressed on it. The veil was kept at St Peter's basilica where it was periodically displayed. By the 14th century it was displayed every Sunday and became Rome's chief attraction."

References: Spencer, B., 1990. Salisbury Museum Medieval Catalogue: Part 2, Pilgrim souvenirs and secular badges Salisbury : Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum

Lewis, M., 2014. Saints and their badges: Saints' Lives and Medieval Pilgrim Badges. Witham : Greenlight