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Description: | A Medieval to Post Medieval copper alloy mount in the form of a bird; which is probably a Pelican. Whilst technically a mount, the item is probably a Catholic badge (or symbol). The Pelican is depicted facing left, with crested head in a lowered position and long beak angled downwards; the wings are outstretched above the body, and the tail points upwards. One of the legs is positioned behind the other and is slightly raised, suggesting the bird in a walking or crouching position. The item is detailed with feathers, beak and eye and there are traces of gilding remaining on the surface. At the centre of the back of the mount are the remains of a rivet or stud for attachment. A similar example, recorded by Rob Webley and Geoff Egan has been recorded on the PAS database: HAMP-F66368. Below are notes from this record: The pelican is possibly 'vulning herself' with wings raised and pecking (or about to peck) her breast. Pelicans shown in this act are often part of a wider scene, on a nest feeding their young with their blood. This is known as a 'pelican in her piety'. A lead badge depicting this can be found in Spencer (1998, 171-72; refs. 192, 192a). It is also found on seal matrices, some harness pendants, misericords and finger-rings (see below, Notes). Although it is unclear as to whether this represents the full pelican 'in her piety', the use of the pelican as a religious symbol does suggest a late medieval/early post-medieval date.The 'pelican in her piety' has its roots in the Bible (Psalms, 102:6). The import of the pelican, thought to be a creature of solitary habits dwelling in Egypt, was developed by Christian commentators. Essentially, the pelican chicks were held to attack their parents as they grew older; the parents, in response, struck back and killed the chicks. However, on the third day the mother pelican drew her own blood which, pouring over the dead chicks, brought them back to life. The pelican was interpreted as Christ, Egypt, the world; the bird's solitary nature as emblematic of Jesus' unique birth from a virgin. The death meted out to the chicks was the death meted out to pagan beliefs by Christ's words, and their three days' death, terminated by the shedding of blood, was Christ's blood shed to save mankind.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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