Medieval Silver Gilt Pilgrims Badge / Vessel Mount. Circa 14...

Hammer

£680

Medieval Silver Gilt Pilgrims Badge / Vessel Mount. Circa 14th-15th century. 29.5mm, 4.36g. A circular silver badge finely engraved with the image of St Catherine. Depicted standing, facing left and holding a spiked wheel in her left hand and a sword in the right hand resting at her side. Around the outer band is the legend, DrynK of Caeteli (n)e. "Drink of Catherine". Reference to the oil that was pouring from her body 500 years after her death. It was collected by pilgrims and taken to shrines throughout Europe. The most famous pilgrim mentioned is Edward the Confessor. An exceptional piece of medieval art.


The Story of St Catherine:
Catherine of Alexandria is said to have been born the daughter of Cestus, wealthy man of Alexandria in Egypt. She was noted for her wealth, intelligence, and beauty. She is said to have learned philosophy, languages, science (natural philosophy), and medicine. She refused to marry, not finding any man who was her equal. Either her mother or her reading introduced her to the Christian religion.
She is said to have challenged the emperor Maximian, the anti-Christian emperor when she was eighteen years old. The emperor brought in some 50 philosophers to dispute her Christian ideas, but she convinced them all to convert, at which point the emperor burned them all to death. She then is said to have converted others, even the empress.
Then the emperor is said to have tried to make her his empress or mistress, and when she refused, she was tortured on a spiked wheel, which miraculously fell apart and the parts killed some who were watching the torture. Finally, the emperor had her beheaded.