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Pitt Rivers Museum

1985.52.2302

Amulet, pendant in the shape of The Holy Shirt of Chartres, with an inscription on the reverse, ?cast in ?nickel, with a loop for suspension. [ACA 24/07/2012]


1985.52.2302

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Collection type
Object
Description
Amulet, pendant in the shape of The Holy Shirt of Chartres, with an inscription on the reverse, ?cast in ?nickel, with a loop for suspension. [ACA 24/07/2012]
Long description
Amulet, pendant in the shape of The Holy Shirt of Chartres, with an inscription on the reverse, ?cast in ?nickel, with a loop for suspension. The inscription reads: 'CETTE STE CHEMISETTE BENITE A CHARTRES A TOUCHE LE PRECIEUX VETEMENT DE LA STE VIERGE'. [ACA 24/07/2012]
Geographical reference
Centre Eure-et-Loir Chartres
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1931
Date collected
By 1931
Acquisition information
Transferred: 1985
Materials and processes
Material White Metal, Material Nickel Metal, Process Inscribed, Process Cast
Dimensions
Height: max 19 mm, Width: max 13 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1985.52.2302 Other numbers: 4612
Associated publications
This amulet was selected for the Small Blessings project website [http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/amulets], online text as follows: This tiny white metal pilgrimʼs souvenir from Chartres, France, is imprinted with the words ʻCETTE STE CHEMISETTE BENITE A CHARTRES A TOUCHE LE PRECIEUX VETEMENT DE LA STE VIERGEʼ (ʻthis holy tunic blessed at Chartres has touched the precious clothing of the Virgin Maryʼ). According to legend, Charles the Bald (823–877) gave a tunic to Chartres Cathedral in 876. The tunic was said to be the Sancta Camisa, a holy relic worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. It became associated with many miracles at Chartres, and pilgrims travelled from afar to venerate the tunic and the Virgin Mary. The production of metal pilgrimʼs souvenirs began in the Middle Ages, when pilgrimage was at its height. At Chartres, little medals and badges made of lead or tin were stamped with the image of the holy tunic and sold in the Cathedral cloister. Vendors were allocated a stall and cupboard, for which they paid an annual sum. [CB 29/08/2012]

Search terms: Religion, Ornament, Model, Writing, Amulet, Pendant, Religious Object, Inscription, Neck Ornament