Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 14th-15th century
St Blaise?
Pilgrim badge in the shape of a rectangular carding comb, which is possibly a souvenir from the shrine of St Blaise at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent. St Blaise was martyred in the early 4th century by being torn apart by iron combs and then beheaded. Combs were used as his symbol and he became the patron saint of wool combers. Some of the relics of St Blaise were kept at Canterbury Cathedral in a shrine by the high altar. This badge is in the form of a carding comb used to prepare wool before spinning. In the centre of this badge is a panel of protruding comb teeth (most are bent over). The teeth are flanked by two panels of cross-hatched decoration.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 78.84/12
- Object name:
- St Blaise?
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 14th-15th century
- Material:
lead alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- H 49 mm, W 22 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.