ANCIENT MEDIEVAL LEAD PILGRIMS AMPULLA
TRACES OF DECORATIONS
A medieval pilgrim’s ampulla, cast from lead, and decorated with various emblems. These miniature flasks were sold at pilgrimage centres and shrines. They would be filled with holy water or oil and then sealed.
The lugs allowed the ampulla to be sewn onto clothing or worn on a cord around the neck, as both souvenir and object of devotion. In Piers Ploughman, Langland describes a pilgrim:
Dating Circa - 14th Century AD
Measuring 4.5 x 3 cm