Hood of Cherries

Description

This badge is in the form of a medieval hood, with collar (gorget) and ribbon (tippet). The hood is shown upside-down, repurposed as a sack for holding fruit. The ribbon is shown tied around the gorget to close the sack. Seven cherries can be seen protruding from the hood’s opening. There is a pin attached to the reverse. Badges like these may be a talismanic token invoking unexpected riches, symbolised by a spontaneous harvest of fruit. This badge was discovered in Salisbury. 15th century l. 38 x w. 30mm http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=47805&partId=1&searchText=MCM3913&page=1