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Description: | Identification supplied by Jim Halliday:A Pilgrims Ampulla of the 13th to the early 16th century AD. These small holy water containers were acquired by pilgrims visiting the many holy shrines of the period. These ampullae contained Holy Water or blessed water from the local springs, the said waters were thought at the time to be a cure for all illness and misfortunes. For instance, the blessed water poured onto the farm land was thought to ensure a good crop, a sick animal anointed with this blessed water may be cured and thrive. The two small handles allowed the ampullae to be sewn to clothing, displaying to other pilgrims and passers by the details of other shrines that had been visited on the pilgrimage. The use of these Pilgrim's ampullae came to and end with the Reformation by Henry VIII in the early 16th century AD. when the shrines were closed down.A small holy water container of lead-tin alloy, measuring length 45.7mm.x 29.5mm.widest, thickest 8.1mm., both handles are missing. The Ampulla has decoration on one side which only comprising of a crown with a central fleur-de-lis and a hatched lining, the crown is probably the emblem of Mary the Virgin Queen of Heaven. The other side is undecorated. The top of the ampulla has been opened to use the contents. Reference: 'Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue - Part 2' by Brian Spencer , illustrates & discusses several similar ampullae found various parts of Britain.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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