Ampullar; scallop shell

Ampulla in the shape of a scallop shell from an unknown shrine. 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.

Though the scallop shell was originally the symbol of the shrine of St James the Greater at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, it later became the generic symbol for pilgrimage and appears on many 14th and 15th century ampullae. The scallop was essentially the emblem of the apostle St James the Greater, but through the twelfth century became a generic emblem of pilgrimage.