ampulla

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Object Type
Museum number: 1971,0603.3
Description: A lead alloy pilgrim ampulla in openwork consisting of an elongated central vessel held within a circular frame with openwork decoration of circles and cruciform motifs. The vessel bears representations of St Thomas Becket as a bishop with mitre and crosier, making a gesture of benediction, and, on the other side, the scene of his martyrdom with a kneeling Becket and single standing knight. Non-figural surface decoration fills gaps in the design, consisting mainly of hatching, parallel lines and triangles decorated with rows of alternately diagonal lines. An equal-armed cross, now folded inwards, would have protruded from the middle of the representation of Becket as bishop. This piece is associated with the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury.
Cultures/periods
Production date: 1220 - 1420 (circa)
Production place: Made in: England
Materials
Dimensions: Length: 61.17 millimetres; Width: 43.59 millimetres
Location: Not on display
Subjects: christian cleric; knight; saint/martyr; cross
Associated names
Associated places: Associated with: Shrine of St Thomas, cathedral
Associated events: Associated Event: Martyrdom of St Thomas à Becket
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1971
Department: Britain, Europe and Prehistory
Registration number: 1971,0603.3

Free entry