Pilgrim's Badge representing Saint Adrian

Unknown

1480–1500 · Lead alloy · The Cloisters

Saint Adrian of Nicomedia was a former Roman soldier martyred for his Christian beliefs by having his limbs smashed on an anvil. His relics were translated to Geraardsbergen in 1175 thus establishing this foundation as an important pilgrimage site. Patron saint of soldiers, jailors, blacksmiths, and messengers, by the fourteenth century, Adrian was also considered a protector against the plague. In both badges here he is represented in full armor holding a sword in one hand and an anvil in the other. The apparent chronological separation in the making of the respective molds reveals developments in figurative, armor, and costume styles.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1480–1500

Medium

Lead alloy

Culture

South Netherlandish

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1996