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IMC 2019: Sessions

Session 1636: Pinning Down Protection, II: New Research into Late Medieval Pilgrim and Secular Badges

Thursday 4 July 2019, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden
Organiser:Annemarieke Willemsen, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden
Moderator/Chair:Lloyd de Beer, British Museum, London
Paper 1636-aPilgrim Souvenirs for All Pockets?: Comparing Medieval Pilgrim Souvenirs in the Museum of London Collection
(Language: English)
Meriel Jeater, Museum of London
Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Economics - Urban, Lay Piety, Religious Life
Paper 1636-bAn Insight into Medieval Pilgrim Badges and Ampullae Found in Italy
(Language: English)
Susanna Rodighiero, Independent Scholar, Venezia
Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Archaeology - Sites, Daily Life, Religious Life
Paper 1636-cIdentity and Protection: Pilgrim Badges in Italian Art
(Language: English)
Annemarieke Willemsen, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden
Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Art History - Painting, Daily Life, Religious Life
Abstract

The research into pilgrim and secular badges flourishes. These tiny, fragile, mostly pewter objects were mass-produced but bought individually, and worn on the body for commemoration, piety, protection, identification, and a bit of fun. After being worn, they were kept as souvenirs and sometimes placed in tombs with the deceased. Badges from the 12th to 16th century are excavated all over Europe and also depicted in art and referenced in texts, which indicates why people wore them. These often very detailed badges broaden the knowledge about travelling objects, transport of knowledge and visual literacy in the late-medieval world.