AMPULLA

An incomplete Medieval lead pilgrim's ampulla dating to the period c.AD 1350 - 1530. Most of the neck, the upper part and one loop of the ampulla are missing with just a small part of the trapezoid neck and one loop remaining. The lower half is circular. On one face is a four leaved flower with central annulet. The leaves are pointed oval and divided in two by a central line; each has shading made of regularly spaced angled lines on one half of the leaf. There are curled tendrils between each leaf. The other side has traces of a saltire which crosses to the right of centre with possibly expanded terminals of once diagonal and possibly a flower or heart in the centre and possibly a crown above. The lead has a thick off-white patina. The inside contains a hard white concretion.

The ampulla measures 51.0mm in length, 35.41mm in width, 8.83mm in thickness and weighs 43.62g.

A similar example of the floral pattern can be found in Anderson type II.10 - II.19 (2010:188) fig 2c.

Ampullae were designed to contain a draught of relic water, to be taken as a cure or worn by suspension through the loops as a talisman (Spencer, 1998: 203). Spencer (1990: 58) notes that ampulla would see widespread use as pilgrim souvenirs from the 13th century, although the majority of those to survive are the robust vessels made in the late medieval period such as this example.