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Description: | An incomplete cast lead or lead alloy pilgrims ampulla dating from the medieval period; late 13th - late 15th century (1250-1450). The pilgrims' ampulla is much more angular and robust than most examples having a very rectangular flask mouth and D shaped body. In plan and profile the ampulla is broadly sub-rectangular. The lower part has a rounded convex base that is stepped to form a waste at the mid point. This then extends vertically upwards towards the upper edge which is lost due to a lateral break / split . At the mid point of the neck of the flask there are two small integral cast loops which have both been broken away leaving small irregular projections. The front and rear face of the ampulla are decorated with cast motifs. These designs have been abraded. The front face has a cast design of a triangular shaped shield which is decorated with a similar shaped shield within. Outside the shield are a series of radiating ribs that are continuations of the reverse design. The design on the reverse face is deeply cast (and incised) consisting of curvilinear lines forming a shell / scallop design. This represents the shell of St James - the symbol of Pilgrimage. The neck on both faces seems undecorated. The damage on the upper edge is consistent with that seen in the burial environment. The split is irregular and the edges are feathered. The ampulla is a mid grey cream colour with an uneven patina. This patina has been abraded in several areas revealing a mid grey metal beneath.Ampullae were used to contain holy water, as a souvenir of a pilgrimage; they date to the 13th to 15th centuries. It has been suggested that many of these are found unconnected with religious sites (specifically in East Anglia) and it is thought that they could have been used and discarded in a religious ceremony to bless the fields. Not enough ampullae have been recorded in the West to say if a similar tradition is prevalent here. Several similar ampullae with shield like patterns can be seen in Salisbury Museum Medieval Catalogue II cat. no.128-130 fig: 171-173. Spence in his description suggests that these were decorative arms rather than heraldic as similar designs can be seen on contemporary objects such as costrels (contemporary travellers water bottles). Interestingly this example is best paralleled against cat no 130 - which has a similar shaped design / arms which Spencer links to the arms of the Mortimer's (Earls of March)The ampulla measures, 47.9mm in length (from the upper edge to the apex of the base), 39.4mm maximum width (across the base of the ampulla), and is 14.4mm thick (at the base). The ampulla weighs 81.16 grams. | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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