ampulla
- Museum number
- 1896,0501.69
- Description
-
Lead alloy pilgrim ampulla with a circular frame. The front of the ampulla depicts the standing figure of St Thomas Becket in mitre and chasuble, making a gesture of benediction and holding a crosier. The reverse shows the scene of his martyrdom with one knight faced by a kneeling Becket. The frame is filled with openwork decoration of symmetrical sexfoil and fleur-de-lis motifs and a representation of the front- and back-view of a seated Becket, depicted in episcopal garb, enclosed within a roundel. The front of the circular frame is inscribed and the reverse bears a pattern of linear triangle decoration. This piece is associated with the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury.
- Production date
- 14thC
- Dimensions
-
Length: 74.57 millimetres
-
Width: 64.58 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- note chasuble. date is late thirteenth century.
jc 14.6.94
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2021 20 May- 22 Aug, London, BM, Room 35 – Thomas Becket: Murder and the Making of a Saint
2007 20 Apr-19 Sep, London, The British Library, Sacred: Discover What We Share
2005-2006 25 Jul-13 Jan, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2005 12 Feb-26 Jun, Newcastle, Hancock Museum, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2004-2005 1 Oct-15 Jan, Manchester Museum, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2004 30 Apr-21 Sep, Cardiff, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2003-2004 21 Nov-14 Mar, London, BM, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
- Associated events
- Associated Event: Martyrdom of St Thomas à Becket
- Acquisition date
- 1896
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1896,0501.69
