Pilgrimage Badges and Souvenirs

[sillydoll]

If you are in London it is well worth a visit to the Museum of London's medieval gallery.
In 2004 I was fortunate to spend some time with John Clark, the curator, who took us into the depths of the museum and showed us two trays of metal Santiago souvenirs not on display.

You can see them here:
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/piclib ... sp?id=1087

A good resource for learning more is Brian Spencer's "Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges". He examines the souvenirs collected at centres of religious attraction as well as finds from excavations in London during the 1970s to early 1990s, mainly from waterfront sites. Copies of one of the medieval metal scallop shells on display (I think it is exhibit No.33) is sold by the CSJ as a small brooch. Next to it is a small jewelled cross with a hidden cavity, thought to be a reliquiary containing a tiny sliver of the true cross embedded in wax.
Stirring stuff!

 

[Anonymous]

great info, Sil, appreciate it :!: xm 8)

 

[Peter Robins]

ampullae were also common, such as these
http://www.stmina-monastery.org/ampullae.htm

 

[Anonymous]

Ah, yes, I remember having seen the above at an exposition, can't remember if permanent/temporary, at the "Museo das peregrinacions" (http://www.mdperegrinacions.com/), in Compostela. Best, xm

 

[Anonymous]

Just bookmarked the Museum of London, link. Thanks.

St. Menas...little clay bottles (ampullae)...discovered by the archeologists in ...Heidleburg in Germany, Milan in Italy, Dalmata in Yugoslavia, Marceille in France, Dengela in Sudan, and Jerusalem.

Hmm...Interesting. Wonder if he's known in Spain?

best,

xm 8)

 

[Peter Robins]

probably. There's one found locally in the museum here in Chester
http://www.chester.gov.uk/main.asp?page=1053
To get to the coast of NW England it must have gone past Spain; where's there's one . . .

Canterbury also produced many ampullae.

 

[William Marques]

The museum of London is interesting but if you go there to look for pilgrim badges you will be dissapointed unless you do what Silvia did and make and appointment with one of the curators to show you more than what they have in display. There are a few but not many in their public dispay cases. I went there earlier this year researching a short article on the subject for the CPR and found this to my cost.

The Bian Spencer book is an academic/reference work so not for light reading and they have a copy of it in the nearby Guildhall Library.

If anyone had detaled information I can use especially on badges from Rome and Santiago please e-mail me.

 

[Anonymous]

William, check out Compostela's "Museo de las Peregrinaciones." I saw an exhibit with badges once, can't recall if it was a permanent or temporary exhibition. They have a web site, http://www.mdperegrinacions.com/, u could also e-mail them. Best, xm 8)

 

[sillydoll]

Does anyone have the metal brooch sold by the Confraternity of St James? I have lost mine and need a photograph of it for an aticle.
I would be truly grateful if anyone could send me a photograph of the brooch in a fairly high resolution.

 

[William Marques]

No but I can send you a photo of a blazer button with the sword and shell

 

[David]

Does anyone have the metal brooch sold by the Confraternity of St James? I have lost mine and need a photograph of it for an aticle.
I would be truly grateful if anyone could send me a photograph of the brooch in a fairly high resolution.

Tricky to take a good photo - is this the one you mean? Have put up three of the same - not very well photographed - I'm not very good at it! These are reduced but if any are any good for you I could mail you the original full size (even try to take a better photo!)




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[David]

Does anyone have the metal brooch sold by the Confraternity of St James? I have lost mine and need a photograph of it for an aticle.
I would be truly grateful if anyone could send me a photograph of the brooch in a fairly high resolution.

Oh - and I have two authentic copies of 14th century badges in my Ebay pilgrimsupplies shop - they are about 1.75 inches across (45 mms)
Could send you one if it would be helpful ...