|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete lead pilgrims ampulla dating to the medieval period. The ampulla is oval in cross-section and sub-rectangular in plan, tapering slighly to the opening at the top. The top is still crimped together however there is a small circular hole in the centre towards the base through which the contents were poured out. The ampulla is worn but feint decoration is visible.One side has two feintly incised lines across the neck. Below this on the right there appears to tbe the outline of a face or helmet facing left and slightly downwards. This figure wears a long robe or cloak and has his arm outstretched as if holding or wealding a sword. Feint lines are also visible on the left however they do not forma coherant image. The scene of a figure holding a sword is seen on ampullae from the Canterbury pilgrimage, for example the pear-shaped ampulla illustrated in Spencer Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges, p.60, fig. 17a. Here the figure is described as a knight in a flat topped cylindrical helm brandishing a sword and delivering the mortal blow to St Thomas Becket's skull.The other side of the ampulla is decorated with a moulded oval shaped cell in the centre containing a series of upward pointing moulded chevrons. Similar chevrons, perhaps representing folds in a cloak or robe also decorated the majority of the body of this side. At the top of the motifs are two human faces depicted by pellets and lines.A possible third facing bust is visible in the centre above the other two faces. This scene might be another representation of the murder scene, but is perhaps more likely to depicts a stately trio of angels transporting Becket's soul to heaven (cf. Spencer, p. 45).
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
AMPULLA
Pewter pilgrim's ampulla. This elaborate…
-
Ampulla
Pewter pilgrim's ampulla. This elaborate…
-
AMPULLA
Pewter pilgrim's ampulla. This elaborate…
-
AMPULLA
A Medieval lead alloy ampulla,…
-
AMPULLA
A late medieval lead pilgrims…
-
AMPULLA
An incomplete cast lead Medieval…
-
ampulla
A lead pilgrim??s ampulla dating…
-
AMPULLA
A lead pilgrim?s ampulla dating…
-
AMPULLA
A lead pilgrim's ampulla dating…
-
AMPULLA
An incomplete cast lead pilgrim…
|