Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; late 13th-early 14th century
St Thomas Becket
Fragment of a free-standing figure from the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. This would have been a hollow-cast tin alloy figure of St Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury who became a saint after he was murdered in the cathedral by four knights of King Henry II on 29 December 1170. Canterbury was the most important centre of pilgrimage in England and the pilgrims that travelled there frequently bought souvenirs of their pious journey such as ampullae (small bottles for holy water), badges and figurines. Free-standing figurines were probably produced by ampulla makers. This fragment shows part of St Thomas Becket’s chasuble, which is decorated with a running vine-scroll pattern, and the folds of his alb (long tunic).
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 87.219/6
- Object name:
- St Thomas Becket
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; late 13th-early 14th century
- Material:
tin alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- H 71 mm, W 21 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.