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Description: | Medieval lead pilgrim's ampulla of 14th to 16th century dateThe ampulla is near complete, (with a length of 56.8 mm and a weight of 67.6mm) but with some peripheral damage around the mouth edge. The mouth is expanded, (with a width of 25.6mm) and is open. The sides of the neck are straight and converge to the lower chamber (with a width of 34.4mm). On one side there is a formed suspension loop, on the opposite side the loop is visible but with no perforation and is slightly higher than the other loop, suggesting a mis-casting. The obverse is convex and there is a mid rib extending from the mouth down the neck. At the end of the midrib there is a horizontal rib from which nine bold, radiating ribs produce a corrugated surface with notched edges. The radiating ribs portray a scallop shell; this is a representation of pilgrimage. This type of ampulla is of Spencer's Type I (Spencer 1990, p 59) . The reverse is flat with bevelled sides to the neck. There is an irregular horizontal moulding across the widest part of the chamber which may be a casting flash, suggesting a three-piece mould or may be the result of damage to the mould but does not appear to be decorative. The surface has a yellow-grey patina.The few diagnostic attributes make it unclear what shrine this ampulla has originated from. The scallop-shell motif became the emblem for pilgrimage in the later Medieval period and was adopted by many shrines (ibid, p 58). The ampulla was found as part of a pair, (PAS PUBLIC-2983D4). This association is important as the ampullae appear to be from the same mould due to the mis-cast loop on one side and the irregular horizontal moulding on the reverse. The ampullae were discovered on a beach, it may be suggested that the ampullae were deliberately opened and thrown into the water by returning pilgrims as a 'thanks' for a safe journey home.
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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