Description
SOLD
Rare Silver Pilgrim’s Badge, Santiago de Compostela, 16th/17th century.
A richly detailed medallion showing a medieval looking man with a heavy beard and holding a large staff and a holy book. He is wearing a distinctive hat emblazoned with the symbol of a sea scallop shell, attesting to this man’s intent to join the multitude of other pilgrims who make the annual Pilgrimage to the ancient Galicia site in Spain.
This symbol was worn as a badge on their hat by pilgrims to identify themselves as travelers on the long road to the site and to foster and strengthen comradeship.
The badge is in the shape of a sea scallop shell which also frames the picture of the pilgrim, who may in fact be none other than Saint James the Great himself.
The tradition of the scallop shell being associated with travelers has ancient roots going back to Early Christian times; the seashell having existed throughout Pagan times it was adopted by Christians to remind them of the Biblical passage (Hebrews 11:13), identifying that Christians “are pilgrims and strangers on the earth”.
Excellent condition with four loops on the back for sawing on a headcap, a hat or another piece of clothing.
Size: 1 ¾” x 1 ¾” inches
