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Description: | Incomplete lead alloy ampulla of the Medieval Period, dating from c.AD 1200 - AD 1400.The obverse, the more rounded face of the ampulla, has been squashed and is now concave and shows a Type II scallop shell (Spencer 1990, Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue Part 2 p.59). Above the scallop design is an unclear device consisting of a triangle made out of raised lines. The reverse of the ampulla is also concave and is decorated with an unclear device made up of a raised concentric circle in the field, with another dual raised line bordering the inner design. The concentric circles are decorated with a zigzag pattern in between them. Inside this is an M or inverted W. Above seems to be a cross hatch decoration but this is difficult to see due to damage. The base edge of the ampulla has diagonal raised lines. Two complete suspension loops are present on the neck, these are semi circular protrusions with a semi circular perforation through. A casting seam is present around the edge of the ampulla. The top of the ampulla appears to have been flattened slightly or pinched together. The neck of the ampulla is rectangular in plan and curves at an almost right angle to form the scallop shaped bulb at the base. Just above the bulb, on the right, there is a crack that runs through to the reverse.The ampulla measures: Length: 70.1 mm. Maximum width at base: 44.4 mm. Width including suspension loops: 31.5 mm. Width at neck: 18.9 mm. Maximum Thickness: 11.2 mm, Weight: 70.1 gThe ampulla is a light grey in colour and has an uneven surface patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil has resulted in the loss of much of the original surface detail.Although the scallop is the badge of St James of Compostela, it was also the emblem of pilgrimage. Canterbury adopted this early on for its ampullae, and later other shrines copied, including probably Walsingham. Ampulla were either worn around the neck or often donated to the neighbourhood to be hung in the parish church. They come into use in the late twelfth century and feature as secondary relics in virtually every thirteenth century parish church. With the introduction of pilgrim badges in the fourteenth century, they become more stereotyped and less informal. This example dates to the medieval period, c. AD 1200 - AD1400, may be 15th Century. According to Spencer, ampullae bearing the crowned letter 'W' have been tentatively associated with the cult of Our Lady at Walsingham. The relatively large number and wide distribution of the ampullae involved point to a shrine of major importance, such as Walsingham. However, the letter 'W' may also have had a more general meaning as double 'V' (Virgo Virginium) and 'M' for Maria when inverted. Spencer (pages 57-8) describes ampullae as 'flask-shaped, but with a narrow, flattish section, they were designed to contain a dose of the thaumaturgic water that was dispensed to pilgrims at many shrines and holy wells.' He continues that they came 'into use in the last quarter of the twelfth century' and were 'almost the only kind of pilgrim souvenir to be had during the thirteen century'.Similar artefacts have been recorded on the PAS database, see WILT-085303, WMID-89AAA2, WMID-7A174A, WMID-2C2E0C and WMID-167180.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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