Christ; head of

Part of a devotional badge with a circular beaded frame and a suspension loop at the base. Inside the frame is a bearded face, probably the head of Jesus Christ. The loop would have been linked to a medallion or pendant which is now missing. Other similar badges depicting Thomas Becket are known from Canterbury so it is possible that these circular framed badges that linked to pendants were made in Canterbury too. Several examples of this type of badge have been found in London and they have different pendants suspended from them such as a miniature bagpipe, a leaf and a purse. It may be that pilgrims could choose which pendant they wanted from a selection of religious and good luck symbols.