Pilgrim sign 'Greenery', 14th-15th century, bronze

Product description

This filigree, broken sign shows two phallic symbols amid vines and crops, flanked by two winged specimens in bird form - probably a humorous-erotic reference to the Garden of Eden. The design is modeled on a Dutch find from the 14th-15th century from the Koldeweij collection.

This type of profane, humorous-erotic signs belong to a separate category within medieval pilgrim signs, next to the more common images of saints, and were probably worn to discuss sexuality through humor.

A curious piece of medieval folk culture; Equipped with a needle at the back to attach to clothing.