MEDIEVAL AMPULLA

1200

An incomplete lead or lead alloy ampulla, of the Medieval period, dating from c. AD 1200 - c. AD 1500.Approximately 100% of the ampulla is present.In plan, it has a broadly circular base and the sides of the neck flare slightly towards the mouth which is flattened but complete. The loops are present as a triangular lug protruding from each side, each with a circular perforation, circular perforation on the left (when looked at from the front) is smaller. At the convex front there is a raised scallop shell with twelve obvious flaring ribs. Above this is a double curve made up of two raised curved lines, which has been decorated with a zig zagged pattern of raised triangles. The reverse bears decoration in the form of an inverted keyhole shape with a flared/fanned top, the loop of the key hole is double looped and is decorated with a zig zagged pattern, the edges of the ampulla are also decorated with a zig zagged pattern.It measures 52.2 mm in length and has a maximum width of 37.1 mm (with the lugs) and 25.7 mm (at the base). It has a thickness of 6.1 mm and weighs 37.1 g.The ampulla is a mid grey in colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail. Other examples of this type of artefact, with a similar decoration, can be seen on the database including NMGW-514FAB. Other examples of Ampulla with a scallop design are common and can also be seen on the database including WMID-6D02A1 and WMID-7A174A.Ampullae were used as a flask to hold holy water, becoming a souvenir of a pilgrimage; they generally date to the late 12th to 15th centuries (Spencer, 1990, 57). The scallop design was the emblem of St. James the Greater from the 12th century, but became the generic symbol of pilgrimage itself, therefore representing all pilgrim saints and for all pilgrims (Spencer, 1990, 41). Ampullae are often found in rural areas which may reflect the folk practice such as burying the ampulla in fields to protect crops and livestock from illness (Spencer, 1990, 205).Brian Spencer, formerly Senior Keeper at the Museum of London, who made a life-time study of ampullae, also noted that 'Ampullae or miniature phials were an important kind of souvenir. Generally 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. Ampullae were made of tin or lead or tin-lead alloy and were provided with a pair of handles or loops so that they could be suspended from a cord or chain around the wearer's neck. Coming into use in the last quarter of the twelfth century, they were, in England, almost the only kind of pilgrim souvenir to be had during the thirteenth century. They were nevertheless available at a number of shrines, and thanks to returning pilgrims or to local entrepreneurs, probably featured as secondary relics in virtually every thirteenth-century English parish church. Until the early fourteenth century, ampullae took various forms, were frequently inscribed and usually bore representations of the cult-figure or relic that they were intended to commemorate......Ampullae could be comfortably kept on the person or easily hung up in the home, or suspended , for the benefit of livestock, in the stable or cow shed or on the beehive. Ampullae were often donated to the neighbourhood, to be hung in the parish church. Almost as a matter of course, churches throughout thirteenth-century England secured possession of Canterbury ampullae containing what was perhaps the most famous of all elixirs, the water of St Thomas, tinged with the martyr's miracle-working blood' (Spencer, B. 1990, 57-58).Reference:Spencer, B. 1990. Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges. Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. Salibury.