Additional Items – 1
Apart from items 1-4 (which have had masters made before casting), all the other items have been taken from an original artefact that has been found.
1. Vagina
A stilt walking vagina with a crown of phallus, found in Holland and dated to
around 1375-1425
Vagina, boxed with history.
2. Archer
This archer is a copy of a badge found in Holland and dated to around 1375-1425
Archer, boxed with history.
3. Winged phallus
A lady playing a musical instrument seated upon a winged phallus. There have
been a number of these types of badges found especially on the Continent. There
meaning is unclear, but one can only assume that they had a ‘wicked’
sense of humour in those times.
Winged phallus, boxed with history.
4. St Edmund
A modern depiction of the martyrdom of St Edmund, King of East Anglia. Inspired
by paintings found in Suffolk churches.
St Edmund, boxed with history
5. Tau Crucifix
The TAU or ‘T’ cross was the emblem adopted by the Order of Hospitallers.
Their 12th century Abbey of St Antoine in France, was a famous place of pilgrimage,
attributed to cures for the disease known as St Anthony’s Fire.
Tau Crucifix, boxed with history
6. Rood Crucifix
Cast from a magnificent 15th century pewter original. Found crumpled and buried
in the mud of the River Thames in London, this unusually large pilgrim cross
has been restored to its original splendour. It is thought that this crucifix
may have originated from St Paul’s, as one of the great attractions during
the Middle Ages was the Great Rood at the north door of Old Saint Pauls.
Rood Crucifix, boxed with history
7. Tau Cross
This rare Tau cross is cast from a 15th century original discovered in the 1980s.
found in the River Thames in London.
Tau crucifix, boxed with history.
8. Passion Crucfix
This crucifix is cast from a 15th century original found in the River Thames,
the cross is a simple Latin or ‘Passion’ cross showing the long
upright. A style in shape that reflects the ground plan of many cathedrals and
churches in England.
Passion Crucifix, boxed with history.
9. Vintry Crucifix
This is a copy of a bronze original, found on the foreshore of the river Thames
within the City of London called the Vintry. The form of the cross is distinctly
late medieval gothic and is in the form of a tree, probably representing the
Tree of Life symbolising resurrection and eternal life. It is possible that
it is of French origin.
Vintry Crucifix, boxed with history.
10. Knight’s Crucifix
Another form of Tau cross also found on the foreshore of the River Thames. The
loop at the bottom was for a small bell.
Knight’s Crucifix, boxed with history.
11. The Assumption
Dedicated to Our Lady of Eton and depicts the Assumption of the Holy Virgin
Mary, this was a medieval souvenir from a visit to one of the shrines at Eton
near Windsor.
The Assumption, boxed with history.
12. Saint Cecelia
This badge depicts St Cecelia seated at a portable organ. St Cecelia is the
patron of Albi Cathedral, Nr Toulouse in southern France, a lady of noble Roman
birth who suffered martyrdom in the third century. Credited with the invention
of the organ, she has been patron saint of musicians since the 16th century.
Saint Cecelia, boxed with history.
13. Santiago di Compostela
A copy of a rare 15th century original. It depicts a figure wearing a pilgrims
hat riding in a scallop shell. Associated with St James who was to become the
patron saint of Christian pilgrims. The scallop shell grew to be the most widely
recognised of all pilgrim signs. The original badge is now in the Salisbury
Museum.
Santiago di Compostela, boxed with history.
14. Our Lady of Pew
The badge portrays the crowned figure of the Virgin Mary holding the infant
Christ and a sceptre. It could possibly be associated with the shrines of Our
Lady of Pew in the Palace of Westminster, or perhaps the Lady Chapel built by
Henry VII at Westminster Abbey.
Our Lady of Pew, boxed with history.
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