About this object
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ID:
80.69/1
Production date:
Early Medieval; late 13th century
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Location:
In Store
Ampulla from the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. This ampulla has a ribbed openwork penannular frame consisting of three fleurs-de-lys enclosed in heart shapes and two sexfoils in roundels. The vessel itself is decorated with the figure of St Thomas Becket on one side and the scene of his martyrdom on the other. Canterbury ampullae contained holy water tinged with St Thomas Becket’s blood. The blood had been collected from his wounds by the monks of the cathedral after Becket had been murdered there by four knights of King Henry II on 29 December 1170. Holy water mixed with this blood became a miraculous cure for all kinds of diseases and was said to bring the dead back to life. Ampullae containing ‘Canterbury water’ were popular pilgrim souvenirs. This example has been sliced open so the owner could get a dose of the water.
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Measurements
DM 65 mm; T 12 mm (overall)
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Materials
lead alloy
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Last Updated
2024-03-14
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Record quality:
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