Four 14th C. European Pewter & Silver & 2 Toys

Northern and Western Europe, England and possibly Germany, the Netherlands, or France, Medieval to Early Modern Periods, ca. 14th to 18th century CE. A lovely ensemble of 4 pilgrim and livery badges and 2 toys, 5 formed from pewter and 1 from silver. All from the 14th to 16th centuries, the badges are all formed from pewter and consist of a hunting horn, the head of John the Baptist in an openwork quatrefoil frame, an axe head of King Edward III, and a relief tondo of Saint George shown standing and holding a lance. Alternatively, the toys are from the 17th and 18th centuries and made of silver and pewter. The silver toy presents the image of an elderly woman shown standing and wearing a long dress and bonnet, while the pewter toy displays a horse and rider wearing lengthy robes. Both toys are double-sided. Size of largest (axe head): 2.1" W x 1.9" H (5.3 cm x 4.8 cm); (silver toy): 0.7" W x 1.2" H (1.8 cm x 3 cm); silver quality: 94.4%; weight of silver toy: 1.2 grams

People of the Middle Ages went on pilgrimages to the tomb of a saint, or a site where relics of a saint(s) were venerated. The pilgrim might pray at a shrine in order to thank the saint for miraculous healing or cure. However, for some the journey itself was a means of purification. In addition to voluntary pilgrimages, some pilgrimages were a form of punishment imposed by the courts or the Church. A person might have been ordered to make a pilgrimage to Rome for example, remain there for several years, and bring back some evidence like a pilgrim badge. Besides wearing a voluminous cloak (the pelerine) and a large hat with a wide brim, carrying a wooden pilgrim's staff, a scrip (a pilgrim's flask) and a rosary, the most important signs of a pilgrim were the petite pilgrims' badges he pinned to his hat, scrip, or cloak. At every pilgrimage site, a pilgrim could acquire a pilgrims' badge sold as a consecrated souvenir of the sacred place, just as they can do this today.

Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

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#158546
Condition Report: Losses to leg and hooves of horse, periphery of axe head, and suspension loop of St. George. All have expected abrasions and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, all are very nice with great patina throughout.