Pilgrim badge pig with bagpipes, silvered bronze

Product description

Medieval representations of pigs playing bagpipes are relatively common, particularly in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century England. The precise connection between pigs and bagpipes remains uncertain, though both were associated with themes of sexual sin in medieval culture. The bagpipes' shape, featuring a bag and pipes, may have been interpreted as phallic symbols.

Alternatively, the association might stem from the similarity between the piercing sound of bagpipes and the squealing noise of pigs. This humorous and satirical badge highlights the medieval penchant for blending entertainment with moral commentary. Read more