Ampulla

Ampulla in the shape of a chasse from an unknown shrine. A chasse is a type of reliquary box used to hold the relics of a saint. They were shaped like a church or house with a sloping roof. Other ampullae with this shape are known to have come from the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury in Kent. This ampulla is decorated with cross-hatching on the sides, creating diamond shapes with dots in their centres. Each side of the roof has six ring-and-dot motifs. Ampullae were small lead alloy bottles that contained water that been associated with saintly relics – sometimes relics were dipped into the water to transfer some of their power. This water was thought to have powerful properties such as the ability to cure diseases and so ampullae were popular pilgrim souvenirs. There are handles at the base of the neck so the ampulla could be worn on string round the neck or hung up at home to be used when needed.