Pilgrim badge phallus ship, silvered bronze

Product description

This remarkable medieval pendant draws inspiration from a historical model dated 1350 to 1425 AD and forms part of the Langbroek, Van Breuningen collection. It features a ship crewed by phallic sailors and adorned with penis-shaped birds in the rigging — a direct parody of a well-known pilgrim badge from Canterbury. The original badge depicted St. Thomas Becket's return to England from exile. Canonized as a martyr after King Henry II's knights murdered him in 1170 AD, Becket became one of medieval England's most revered figures. The phallus ship parody mocks religious devotion and references the "ship of fools" motif popular in medieval satire.

The pendant measures 2.7 x 2.7 cm. An eyelet lets you attach it to clothing or wear it as a necklace, and you can also sew it onto garments through its openings. A 1-meter black leather strap is included for versatile wear. Available in high-quality bronze, it combines historical craftsmanship with modern wearability.

The phallus ship reflects the creator's critique of medieval society's sanctimonious attitudes. Its humorous and provocative design highlights the contradictions in venerating figures like St. Thomas Becket — a man whose murder sparked widespread outrage and turned Canterbury into a major pilgrimage center. Becket's enduring popularity, the miracles attributed to him, and his ties to the English monarchy speak to his lasting significance, including King Henry V's visit to Canterbury after the Battle of Agincourt to honor the saint.