The Virgin Mary; The Virgin's nightgown

ID:

91.124

Production date:

Late Medieval; 15th century

Location:

In Store

Part of a pilgrim badge from the shrine of Our Lady of Aachen in Germany. This badge depicts the Virgin Mary’s nightgown which was one of the major relics that pilgrims could see at the shrine. This would have been part of a larger badge. The design of complete badges varies but many are openwork badges made of two or more frames, one of which would have held a mirror. The badges are often decorated with the figures of the Virgin and Child, and the nightgown being held by two priests or angels. The priests’ fingers can be seen at the bottom of the nightgown on this badge.  < ...Read more

Part of a pilgrim badge from the shrine of Our Lady of Aachen in Germany. This badge depicts the Virgin Mary’s nightgown which was one of the major relics that pilgrims could see at the shrine. This would have been part of a larger badge. The design of complete badges varies but many are openwork badges made of two or more frames, one of which would have held a mirror. The badges are often decorated with the figures of the Virgin and Child, and the nightgown being held by two priests or angels. The priests’ fingers can be seen at the bottom of the nightgown on this badge.

Aachen became Germany’s most important pilgrimage centre due to its miracle-working image of the Virgin Mary and various relics including the Virgin’s nightgown. By the 14th century too many pilgrims were coming to be able to see or touch the relics in the church itself. From 1322 the relics were shown outside from a tower. Again, no pilgrims could physically touch the relics with their badges so the souvenir badge makers added mirrors to their badges. These mirrors would be aimed at the relics to catch their reflection and therefore some of their power. The saintly benefits stored by the mirrors could be transferred to other objects when the mirrors were re-aimed (to a piece of bread, for example, which could be eaten by someone who was sick in hope of a cure). < Hide

Measurements

H 30 mm; W 30 mm

Materials

lead alloy

Last Updated

2024-03-14