Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 14th-15th century
Rattle with shell fragments
Pilgrim souvenir in the form of a spherical openwork rattle (one side and the contents of the rattle are now missing). It originally contained shells. Several rattles like these have been in London but it is uncertain which shrine they came from. Rattles may have been bought as pilgrim souvenirs for children. Noise-making souvenirs such as bells and whistles could be bought at a variety of pilgrimage centres – the noise was thought to protect the owners from harm. Rattles may have had a similar function and therefore be used by adults as well as children.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 8723
- Object name:
- Rattle with shell fragments
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 14th-15th century
- Material:
lead alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 43 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.