C, 13th-14th century

A nice lead pilgrims open pouched shaped with suspensory rings at the base of the neck and decorated with a shield bearing the letter ‘T’ to one side and an octafoil to the other.

During the twelfth through fourteenth centuries, pilgrims were likely to purchase an ampulla, a type of container filled with holy water or oil. These could be purchased outside the shrines of a revered saint. The lure of the ampulla as an object capable of bestowing holy miracles gave it the same appeal as a relic. Thus, when pilgrims were not wearing their ampulla around their necks, they were using the contents within them to try to administer cures.

Slightly damaged otherwise nice detail.

Size: 48mm height

Provenance; Ex Coincraft.