Saint Blaise Comb in Circle

Description

Pilgrim badge: St Blaise with comb

Time period:14th to 15th Century
Origin: London, England
Materials: Pewter
Product Dimensions: diameter; 29mm

Further details:

A liturgical comb in round decorated border. Saint Blaise was a Bishop in Asia Minor who was martyred in the 4th century. Before being killed he was tortured with an iron comb and subsequently he became the patron saint of wool-combers.

A shrine to Saint Blaise stood near to that of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral and he was very popular with those seeking a cure for throat ailments.

This badge is similar in style to other Canterbury badges and may well indicate from where the badge originates. In this example, Saint Blaise’s emblem of a comb is enclosed within a border of dot and circles.