Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Medieval & Early Modern Europe · c. 800 – 1800

Agnus Dei waxes

Meaning

An Agnus Dei is a disc of wax from the previous Easter's paschal candle, stamped with the Lamb of God and blessed by the Pope himself. The Lamb means Christ's sacrifice, innocence and victory.

Intent

It was carried against lightning, fire, storms, drowning, the plague, the devil and death in childbirth. Women in labour held one, sailors took them to sea, and they were sewn into little cases or framed in silver to be worn.

Significance

Because only the Pope could bless them, and only in the first year of a pontificate and every seventh year, they were rare and prized, and they became a flashpoint in the Reformation: Elizabethan England made importing them a treasonable offence in 1571.

History

The practice may go back to the early Middle Ages in Rome, is well documented from the 13th century, and flourished from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Popes continued to bless them until the 1960s.

Making yours
Wax discs 3–10 cm, mould-stamped. Held in silver or gilt capsule frames under glass, or in embroidered textile covers.
Medieval & Early Modern Europe: the tradition

Medieval Europe held two protective systems at once: the Church's sacramentals (relics, blessed wax, saints' medals, written prayers) and an older 'natural magic' of stones, herbs and animal parts inherited from Pliny and the lapidaries of Marbode of Rennes (c. 1090) and Albertus Magnus. Pilgrimage produced millions of cheap lead badges. Renaissance courts wore toadstones and bezoars set in gold, and Protestant reformers attacked both relics and charms. In Catholic Bavaria, Austria, Italy and Spain the folk tradition survived into the 20th century, recorded by collectors like Leopold Kriss-Rettenbeck and Rudolf Kriss, whose collections are now in Munich, and by Walter Hildburgh, who gave thousands of Spanish and Italian amulets to the V&A.

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Oval pendant of rock crystal set in a gold mount with three pearls, containing a wax Agnus Dei tablet, PortugaOval pendant of rock crystal set in a gold mount with three pearls, containing a wax Agnus Dei tablet, PortugaPortugal · 1714Silver-gilt, Italy, after 1676Silver-gilt, Italy, after 1676Italy · ca. 1676-1689Enamelled gold pendant in the form of the Agnus Dei, set with a table-cut diamond and rubies and hung with peaEnamelled gold pendant in the form of the Agnus Dei, set with a table-cut diamond and rubies and hung with peaGermany · ca. 1580-1600Enamelled gold pendant, hung with a pearl, depicted on the obverse the Vernicle and on the reverse the Agnus DEnamelled gold pendant, hung with a pearl, depicted on the obverse the Vernicle and on the reverse the Agnus DEurope · 1620-30Pendant with Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)Pendant with Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)Spain · c. 1575-c. 1650, with later modificationsAgnus DeiAgnus DeiFrance · 1200–25Agnus DeiAgnus DeiFrance · 1850-1860Kanfanar, Župna crkva sv. Silvestra, ambon: reljef s prikazom Agnus Dei na kamenoj ogradiKanfanar, Župna crkva sv. Silvestra, ambon: reljef s prikazom Agnus Dei na kamenoj ogradiOpćina Kanfanar · 1945Zagreb - Zagrebačka katedrala - Relikvijar s prikazom Agnus DeiZagreb - Zagrebačka katedrala - Relikvijar s prikazom Agnus DeiZagreb · 1913Les vertus de l'agnus deiLes vertus de l'agnus deiAustria · 1724Ornament met Agnus Dei en pauselijk wapenschildOrnament met Agnus Dei en pauselijk wapenschildItaly · 1714Ecce Agnus DeiEcce Agnus DeiItaly · 1630Maastricht. - O.L. Vrouweplein. - Reliekhouders, t.w. voor- en achterzijde reliekdoosje, Agnus Dei, wierook Driekoningen en kistje Sint Paulus. / (Ph. van Gulpen). - Tekening, gekleurd, onregelmatig, Maastricht. - O.L. Vrouweplein. - Reliekhouders, t.w. voor- en achterzijde reliekdoosje, Agnus Dei, wierook Driekoningen en kistje Sint Paulus. / (Ph. van Gulpen). - Tekening, gekleurd, onregelmatig, Netherlands · 1860Les vertus de l'Agnus DeiLes vertus de l'Agnus DeiItaly · 1725Smycke: Agnus deiSmycke: Agnus deiSweden · 1809Getijdenboek "Getijden- en gebedenboek: Agnus Dei" handschrift op perkament, circa 1460-1480, Zuid-Holland en DelftGetijdenboek "Getijden- en gebedenboek: Agnus Dei" handschrift op perkament, circa 1460-1480, Zuid-Holland en DelftDelft · 1460St. John the Baptist holding a cross-staff and the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)St. John the Baptist holding a cross-staff and the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)Frankreich (Herstellung) · 1460St. John the Baptist holding the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)St. John the Baptist holding the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)Netherlands · 1470Grafzerk van Lijsbet Oldebeeken. Jaartal: 1506. Locatie: westelijke kruisgang. Afmeting: 171 x 96 cm. Stenen zerk met Agnus Dei in cirkel, een inscriptie op de rand van de cirkel.Grafzerk van Lijsbet Oldebeeken. Jaartal: 1506. Locatie: westelijke kruisgang. Afmeting: 171 x 96 cm. Stenen zerk met Agnus Dei in cirkel, een inscriptie op de rand van de cirkel.Onze Lieve VrouwepleinAgnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi.Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi.Germanycroce, cane, Agnus Deicroce, cane, Agnus DeiItalyBuchornamentik: Evangeliar (?): Skizze sechs Felder z.T. mit Ranken- und Blütenornamenten, ein Agnus Dei, ein Wappenfeld, Angabe der ReihenfolgeBuchornamentik: Evangeliar (?): Skizze sechs Felder z.T. mit Ranken- und Blütenornamenten, ein Agnus Dei, ein Wappenfeld, Angabe der ReihenfolgeBerlinAgnus dei med lenkeAgnus dei med lenkeNorge, Aust-Agder, Åmli, TovdalVedheng til Agnus Dei ?Vedheng til Agnus Dei ?Ukjent stedDrinkkruik van tin met deksel en een Agnus Dei op de bodemDrinkkruik van tin met deksel en een Agnus Dei op de bodemNetherlandskapsel (agnus dei) av silverkapsel (agnus dei) av silverSwedenECCE AGNUS DEI.ECCE AGNUS DEI.GermanyAgnus Dei-t ábrázoló bronz medaillonAgnus Dei-t ábrázoló bronz medaillonHungaryVenturum cecinit, et adesse monstravit. ecce Agnus Dei / Solimeno pinxVenturum cecinit, et adesse monstravit. ecce Agnus Dei / Solimeno pinxItalyReproduction d'un tissu avec Agnus Dei - XVèmeReproduction d'un tissu avec Agnus Dei - XVèmeBrussels-Capital RegionAgnus Dei (clau d'arquivolta)Agnus Dei (clau d'arquivolta)Port de la Selva, elAgnus Deis (medallions)Agnus Deis (medallions)SpainReichenau Mittelzell Kloster Marienmünster Reliquienschrein der Heiligen Johannes und Paulus (um 1310) Holzkreuz Agnus Dei und den Heiligen Petrus und PaulusReichenau Mittelzell Kloster Marienmünster Reliquienschrein der Heiligen Johannes und Paulus (um 1310) Holzkreuz Agnus Dei und den Heiligen Petrus und PaulusGermanyRudolf Tobias, original sheet music manuscript, spiritual solo song with organ accompaniment, Agnus DeiRudolf Tobias, original sheet music manuscript, spiritual solo song with organ accompaniment, Agnus DeiEstoniaAgnus Dei-Kapsel aus dem WelfenschatzAgnus Dei-Kapsel aus dem WelfenschatzGermanyAgnus Dei 1867-1907Agnus Dei 1867-1907GermanyAnhänger mit dem Vera Icon und Agnus DeiAnhänger mit dem Vera Icon und Agnus DeiGermanySymbol of St. John: eagle, with (7) banner of the Agnus Dei (without lamb), (8) couple committing adultery (both holding a torch), (9) eye, (10) shepherd's crook, (11) skull, (12) ointment-jarSymbol of St. John: eagle, with (7) banner of the Agnus Dei (without lamb), (8) couple committing adultery (both holding a torch), (9) eye, (10) shepherd's crook, (11) skull, (12) ointment-jarΓερμανίαDyptych reliquary.Dyptych reliquary.United KingdomPfk Hitzendorf AnnaaltarPfk Hitzendorf AnnaaltarM0016836: Dyptych reliquary containing two agnus dei, a representation of the tongue of St John Nepomuk and a MadonnaM0016836: Dyptych reliquary containing two agnus dei, a representation of the tongue of St John Nepomuk and a MadonnaPendant, silver-gilt, depicting the Agnus Dei . Possibly German, 1400-1450Pendant, silver-gilt, depicting the Agnus Dei . Possibly German, 1400-1450Germany · 1400-1500Johannesknabe; Agnus deiJohannesknabe; Agnus deiAustria[Targhetta con "Agnus Dei"][Targhetta con "Agnus Dei"]Italy · 1940Hängsmycke: Agnus deiHängsmycke: Agnus deiSwedenThe Lamb of God (Agnus Dei); the symbols of the four EvangelistsThe Lamb of God (Agnus Dei); the symbols of the four EvangelistsFrankreich (Herstellung) · 1175Christ/Agnus Dei enthroned among the four elements; year; the altar of GodChrist/Agnus Dei enthroned among the four elements; year; the altar of GodNetherlands · 1512Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi.Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi.GermanyAgnus DeiAgnus DeiItalykapsel (agnus dei) av silverkapsel (agnus dei) av silverSwedenIm Anfang war das Wort; Ecce Agnus DeiIm Anfang war das Wort; Ecce Agnus DeiGermanyEcce Agnus Dei / Titiano inventore- 1 stampa : bulino ; 260x220 mm. ((Titolo del cartiglioEcce Agnus Dei / Titiano inventore- 1 stampa : bulino ; 260x220 mm. ((Titolo del cartiglioItalyAgnus Dei with Saint Ambroise of MilanAgnus Dei with Saint Ambroise of MilanBrussels-Capital RegionAgnus Deis (medallions)Agnus Deis (medallions)SpainAgnus DeiAgnus DeiGermanyAgnus DeiAgnus DeiGermanySankt VeitSankt VeitSilver-gilt and enamel pendant depicting the Agnus Dei and ChristSilver-gilt and enamel pendant depicting the Agnus Dei and ChristGermany · ca. 1500Maria mit dem Kinde und Johannesknaben; auf einer Brüstung ein Napf, Früchte und das Spruchband des Johannes mit 'ECCE AGNUS DEI'Maria mit dem Kinde und Johannesknaben; auf einer Brüstung ein Napf, Früchte und das Spruchband des Johannes mit 'ECCE AGNUS DEI'Austria[Tabernacolo eucaristico con "Agnus Dei"[Tabernacolo eucaristico con "Agnus Dei"Italy · 1920

More from Medieval & Early Modern Europe: Pilgrim badges · Reliquary pendants & devotional lockets · Magic & inscribed rings · Natural magic: toadstones, bezoars, serpent tongues · Fraisenketten & Charivari (charm chains) · Breverl & paper blessings · Coral teething rattles & child charms · Coral amulets · Wax & metal votive offerings · Saints’ medals & protective crosses · Other & unsorted Medieval
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