MEDIEVAL AMPULLA

1200

Medieval lead ampulla or miniature phial, probably of 13-15th century date. The ampulla is near complete; missing both handles, and both faces have also suffered some recent damage. The ampulla has a comparatively long neck (c. 30mm) with a short body (c. 27mm). The remnants of the side loops are discernible on the neck, positioned above the body. The obverse is decorated with a scallop-shell motif; the scallop being the badge of St James in addition to being the symbol of pilgrimage. The scallop is composed of bold radiating ribs producing a corrugated surface and a notched edge, and is of Spencer’s (1990) Type I. The scallop ribs appear to continue along the neck of the ampulla to the rim. No decoration is evident on the reverse face.