Pilgrimage Sign From Cologne—virgin And Child With The Three Wise Men—14th–15th Century, Medieval

Rare for its size, its iconography, and above all for its remarkable state of preservation, this sign is a particularly interesting testament to the great tradition of medieval pilgrimages to Cologne, then one of the most important pilgrimage centers in Western Christendom.

The veneration of the Three Wise Men gained considerable importance in Cologne beginning in 1164, when Archbishop Rainald von Dassel had the relics attributed to the Three Wise Men transferred from Milan. Their solemn arrival in the city transformed Cologne into a major pilgrimage destination. A sumptuous reliquary was then created to house these precious relics: the famous Shrine of the Three Wise Men, whose construction began at the end of the 12th century.

Pilgrims then flocked from all over Europe to venerate the relics. Pilgrimage badges, purchased on site and then attached to clothing, hats, or bags, served both as a tangible memento of the pilgrimage and as an object imbued with deep religious significance.

This badge is distinguished by a particularly rich and unusual composition: the Virgin and Child occupy the central position, while the Three Wise Men are depicted on the right side. On the left is a horseman, while a dragon is depicted in the lower part. This combination of figures gives the object a particularly spectacular iconography characteristic of the symbolic world of medieval pilgrimages.

A sign of the same design was discovered in Kalmar, Sweden, and is now housed at the Stockholm State Historical Museum (Historiska Museet), under inventory number 21144:625. Another example, based on the same model, was offered at auction by Lempertz Auction House on November 19, 2011, as lot 1333.

Measuring an exceptional 6.4 cm in diameter, this sign is remarkably well-preserved given the extreme fragility of medieval pilgrimage signs. It is complete, authentic, and has never been restored, retaining a beautiful, dark, lustrous, and uniform patina. A few minor casting imperfections, entirely consistent with the manufacturing technique and the object’s age, are visible.

Due to its large size, the richness of its iconography, its exceptional state of preservation, and the possibility of comparing it to examples held in institutions or previously seen on the international market, this sign constitutes a rare and remarkable material testament to the medieval pilgrimage to Cologne and the veneration of the Three Wise Men.

Diameter: 6.4 cm

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A222

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