Pilgrim's Badge with Becket's Gloves

15th century

Not on view

Badges and souvenirs of this kind were sold across Europe during the Middle Ages, at sites where saints had been martyred, their relics were housed, and miracles had occurred. Outside of Rome, Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where the relics of Saint James the Greater were preserved, was the preeminent pilgrimage destination in Europe. Canterbury Cathedral, where Thomas Becket was martyred, was foremost in England. Badges associated with each holy place offered proof that the wearer had made the pilgrimage. The sale of souvenirs was a major source of income for religious foundations. Lead alloy was also used for secular objects including buttons, badges, rings, as well as toys.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Pilgrim's Badge with Becket's Gloves
Date: 15th century
Geography: Made in Bury St. Edmunds, England
Culture: British
Medium: Tin/pewter
Dimensions: Overall: 1 3/16 x 1 x 1/4 in. (3 x 2.6 x 0.6 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Pewter
Credit Line: Gift of William and Toni Conte, 2002
Object Number: 2002.306.20
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Composite Window of English Stained Glass, Pot-metal, white glass, vitreous paint, silver stain, British — Composite Window of English Stained Glass
British
15th century

Figure of an Angel within a Composite Panel, Pot-metal, white glass, vitreous paint, silver stain, British — Figure of an Angel within a Composite Panel
British
ca. 1450

Plate with Wife Beating Husband, Copper alloy, wrought, Netherlandish — Plate with Wife Beating Husband
Netherlandish
ca. 1480

Aquamanile in the Form of a Unicorn, Copper alloy, German — Aquamanile in the Form of a Unicorn
German
ca. 1425–50

Crib of the Infant Jesus, Wood, polychromy, lead, silver-gilt, painted parchment, silk embroidery with seed pearls, gold thread, translucent enamels, South Netherlandish — Crib of the Infant Jesus
South Netherlandish
15th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.