C. 14th century

An interesting circular openwork, pewter disc badge depicting the face of Christ.

This type of badge was known as a ‘vernicle’, a souvenir of the Veronica in Rome (the Veronica was the veil of St Veronica). It depicts the image of Christ’s face imprinted on a cloth by Veronica during the Passion, where she had been moved by the sight of Christ carrying his cross and gave him her veil for him to wipe his forehead. When he gave it back to her, the image of his face had been miraculously imprinted onto it.

Intact with clear facial details.

Ref: Similar example in Rotterdam Papers VII, from the collection of H.J.E. Van Beuningen, page 133.

Provenance: European Collection

Size: 20mm diam