Pelicans in Their Piety

	Pelicans
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Images of pelicans, especially related to images of the pelican vulning himself or the pelican in her piety. See also The Heraldic Pelican in Fictitious and Symbolic Creatures in Art. Includes jewelry with pelicans, such as pilgrim badges and pendants. For more, see the Pelican in her Piety Flickr Pool or The Medieval Pelican. Pelicans also appear in several seal matrices at the British Museum: 1867,1001.8 (13th century), 1872,0603.48 (late 13th century), 1872,0603.49 (late 13th century), 1856,0701.2199 (early 14th century), 1855,0418.1 (14th century), 1867,1001.32 (14th century), 1868,0904.50 (14th century), 1936,1015.2 (14th century) DEPICTIONS OF PELICANS Three young pelicans attack their parents; the mother bird pierces her breast, a bestiary (Laud Misc. 247, fol. 143r), 2nd quarter of the 12th century Pelican caring for her young in the Ashmole Bestiary (Ashmole 1511, fol. 46v), beginning of the 13th century Pelican in a bestiary (BNF Latin 2495 B, fol. 41v), 1st quarter of the 13th century Pelicans in a bestiary (Brit. Lib. Harley 4751, fol. 46), 2nd quarter of the 13th century Pelican pierces its breast and feeds its young on its blood in a bestiary (Bodl. 764, fol. 72v), 2nd quarter of the 13th century A vulning pelican, the sketchbook of Villard de Honnecourt (BNF Fr. 19093, fol. 1), c. 1230 A pelican piercing its breast to feed its young, a theological miscellany (Brit. Lib. Harley 3244, fol. 54v), 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th century Pelican in a bestiary (Brit. Lib. Sloane 278, fol. 16), 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th century Pelican in a bestiary (Britisy Library Sloane 3544, fol. 28), 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th century Pelican in a bestiary (Bodl. 533, fol. 17v), middle of the 13th century Pelican in a bestiary (BNF Latin 11207, fol. 23v), middle of the 13th century Pelicans, with a pelican feeding her young, the Northumberland Bestiary (Getty MS. 100, fol. 41), c. 1250-1260 Pelican reviving her young in a bestiary (BNF Latin 3630, fol. 88v), 3rd quarter of the 13th century Pelican reviving her young, Bestiaire Divin (BNF Fr. 14964, fol. 127v), 3rd quarter of the 13th century Pelicans on fols. 101 and 115v of the Aviarium of Hugo de Folieto and a bestiary (BNF Latin 14429), 3rd quarter of the 13th century Fols. 243 and 261v in Bestiaire Divin/Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 1444), 3rd-4th quarter of the 13th century Pelicans feeding their young on fols. 17 and 72 of a bestiary, (Getty MS. Ludwig XV 3), c. 1270 Pelicans on fols. 26v and 119v of a psalter (BNF Latin 10435), 4th quarter of the 13th century Pelicans feeding their young in fols. 21v and 75 in a bestiary (Getty MS. Ludwig XV 4), after 1277 Pelicans in their piety on fols. 66r and 142v of a psalter made for Joffroy d'Aspremont and his wfie (Douce 118), end of the 13th century Pelican in Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 1951, fol. 18v), 13th-14th century Pelican feeding her young in Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 12469, fol. 11v), 13th-14th century Embroidered purse with pelicans and other decorations (V&A 8313-1863), 14th century Pelican in a bestiary (Douce 151, fol. 40v), c. 1300 Pelican pecking its breast to feed its young, De avibus (Lyell 71, fol. 11v), c. 1300 A pelican biting its breast to revive her babies ("The author says that if his beloved will open her side and pour out her sweet heart and goodwill on him, he too will be revived") in the Bestiaire d'Amour (Douce 308, fol. 97r), 1st quarter of the 14th century A pelican nests with her young over the Crucifixion, the De Lisle Psalter (Brit. Lib. Arundel 83, fol. 132), c. 1310 A pelican gazes at her young (fol. 90v) and pecks her breast to feed her young (fol. 91r), the Queen Mary Psalter (Brit. Lib. Royal 2 B VII), c. 1310-1320 Fols. 44r and 178r of the Luttrell Psalter (Brit. Lib. Add. 42130), c. 1325-1340 A pelican reviving her young, Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 15213, fol. 79v), 2nd quarter of the 14th century Church wall-painting of a the pelican in its piety at Belchamp Walter, Essex, c. 1350 A quatrefoil of a pelican in her piety over the Crucifixion, a Franciscan missal (Douce 313, fol. 4r), middle of the 14th century Pelican in her piety, a choir psalter (Liturg. 198, pt. I, fol. 1r), 3rd quarter of the 14th century Sir Bors the Younger observes the pelican feeding her young, Queste del Saint Graal (BNF Fr. 343, fol. 40v), c. 1380-1385 A pelican in 'Adjâ'ib al-Nakhlûqât (BNF Supplément persan 332, fol. 225), 1388 A brass plate with a pelican in her piety (Met 64.101.1498), 15th century Tree of Life, Speculum theologiae (BNF Latin 3473, fol. 80v), first part of the 15th century Pelican piercing her breast to feed her young in the margins of the Hours of Charlotte of Savoy (PML M.1004, fol. 157r), c. 1420-1425 Margin with a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young in a book of hours (PML M.1089, fol. 119r), c. 1425-1450 A pelican in her piety over Crucified Christ with the Virgin, St John the Evangelist and Cardinal Juan de Torquemada by Fra Angelico, 1440-1442 Pelican, De proprietatibus rerum (BNF Fr. 136, fol. 23v), c. 1445-1450 Marginalia with a pelican in a book of hours (PML M.1031, fol. 76r), c. 1445-1460 Reverse of a portrait medal with Vittorino da Feltre by Pisanello, c. 1446 Marginalia with a pelican piercing her breast to feed her young in a book of hours (Douce 248, fol. 38r), middle of the 15th century The dream of Nebuchadnezzar, Speculum humanae salvationis (BNF Fr. 188, fol. 28v), middle of the 15th century Marginalia with a pelican in her piety (Rawl. liturg. e. 17, fol. 34v), 3rd quarter of the 15th century Marginalia with a pelican in a book of hours (Douce 243, fol. 120r), 3rd quarter of the 15th century Detail of a pelican vulning in the border of an illustration of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the Gualenghi-d'Este Hours (Getty MS. Ludwig IX 13, fol. 187v), c. 1469 Medallion in margin with a pelican in her piety, a book of hours (PML M.285, fol. 151r), c. 1470 A pelican in the margin of the vision of Zacharias, Bible Historiale (Brit. Lib. Royal 15 D I, fol. 219), c. 1470-1479 Margin illustration including a pelican, a book of hours (PML M.312, fol. 104r), c. 1470-1480 A pelican in her piety in the margin of the Crucifixion, a book of hours (Buchanan f. 1, fol. 57v), c. 1471-1500 Marginal illustration of a pelican feeding her young, Noted Breviary of Anthony of Burgundy (Brit. Lib. Harley 2967, fol. 198v), c. 1475 Marginal illustration with a pelican, a book of hours (PML G.4, fol. 113r), 4th quarter of the 15th century Pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML M.131, fol. 2r), c. 1480 Pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML S.7, fol. 27r), c. 1490 A pelican in her piety on top of a painted crucifix by Antonio de Saliba (V&A 323-1895), c. 1490-1500 Medallion in margin with a pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML M.305, fol. 228v), c. 1495 Allegory of mercy, Speculum animae (BNF Espagnol 544, fol. 16), end of the 15th century Embroidered altar frontal with a pelican, 16th century The Theological Virtues: Charity, c. 1500 Pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML M.0175, fol. 28v), c. 1500 Reverse of St. John the Evangelist on Patmos by Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1504-1505 Wafer iron with a pelican, eagle, lion, and fish (GNM HG 8284), 1531 Fanciful coat of arms with a pelican as the crest (British Museum Gg,4A.8), c. 1530-1562 Printer's mark of Franz Behem; with a pelican piercing its chest for its young (British Museum 1895,0122.500), c. 1530-1580 Pyx with a pelican in her piety on the cover (V&A M.272-1960), c. 1540 Ciborium with a pelican in her piety on the lid (V&A 4285-1857), c. 1540 Pelican in Manuel Philes' Properties of the Animals (BNF Grec 2737, fol. 79v), 1554 A pelican sits on the head of Charity by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1559 The pelican in De animalium proprietate (Auct. F. 4. 15, fol. 8r), 1564 A pelican on a panel (V&A T.33R-1955) from the Oxburgh Hangings, c. 1570-1585 Pelican feeding her young, Physiologus (BNF Grec 834, fol. 37), 1585 Blue glass goblet ornamented in enamels with pelican in piety and lily of the valley (British Museum 1973,0604.2), 1594 Embroidered leather glove with a pelican in her piety, c. 1610-1630 JEWELRY: PENDANTS, BADGES & BROOCHES WITH PELICANS A devotional badge with a pelican in its piety (MoL 8893), 15th century Lead alloy pilgrim badge with a pelican in her piety (British Museum 1904,0720.15), 15th century Gold brooch in the form of a pelican in her piety standing on a scroll; her breast set with a ruby; on the scroll a small bird, five attachments for gems, and set with a diamond; inscribed with the letters 'YMTH' (British Museum AF.2767), 15th century; notes with this item also say "in 1447 Duke Amadeo VIII of Savoy commissioned thirteen pelican brooches as New Year gifts for his family, each one made of gold set with a ruby. See Robinson 2008, p. 72 for reference." Portrait of Margaret of Austria by Jean Hey, c. 1490; she wears a pendant with a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young Enamelled gold pendant with a pelican in her piety (V&A 335-1870), c. 1550-1575 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1573-1575; she wears a pendant with a pelican Gold pendant, enamelled and jewelled; shaped, pierced plaque; Virgin(?) with chalice; quatrefoil pendant at base between two chains attached to pelican in her piety with jewelled wings and baroque pearl for breast; below: monster in coral attached by loops from which hang three quatrefoils with pearl at base of each (British Museum AF.2859), made in Venice, late 16th century Pendant with a pelican in her piety in enamelled gold and set with diamonds, rubies, and pearls (V&A 4212-1855), c. 1600 Pendant with a pelican in her piety (Met 1982.60.387), first quarter of the 17th century

Pelicans

Images of pelicans, especially related to images of the pelican vulning himself or the pelican in her piety. See also The Heraldic Pelican in Fictitious and Symbolic Creatures in Art. Includes jewelry with pelicans, such as pilgrim badges and pendants. For more, see the Pelican in her Piety Flickr Pool or The Medieval Pelican.

Pelicans also appear in several seal matrices at the British Museum: 1867,1001.8 (13th century), 1872,0603.48 (late 13th century), 1872,0603.49 (late 13th century), 1856,0701.2199 (early 14th century), 1855,0418.1 (14th century), 1867,1001.32 (14th century), 1868,0904.50 (14th century), 1936,1015.2 (14th century)

DEPICTIONS OF PELICANS

Three young pelicans attack their parents; the mother bird pierces her breast, a bestiary (Laud Misc. 247, fol. 143r), 2nd quarter of the 12th century
Pelican caring for her young in the Ashmole Bestiary (Ashmole 1511, fol. 46v), beginning of the 13th century
Pelican in a bestiary (BNF Latin 2495 B, fol. 41v), 1st quarter of the 13th century
Pelicans in a bestiary (Brit. Lib. Harley 4751, fol. 46), 2nd quarter of the 13th century
Pelican pierces its breast and feeds its young on its blood in a bestiary (Bodl. 764, fol. 72v), 2nd quarter of the 13th century
A vulning pelican, the sketchbook of Villard de Honnecourt (BNF Fr. 19093, fol. 1), c. 1230
A pelican piercing its breast to feed its young, a theological miscellany (Brit. Lib. Harley 3244, fol. 54v), 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th century
Pelican in a bestiary (Brit. Lib. Sloane 278, fol. 16), 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th century
Pelican in a bestiary (Britisy Library Sloane 3544, fol. 28), 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th century
Pelican in a bestiary (Bodl. 533, fol. 17v), middle of the 13th century
Pelican in a bestiary (BNF Latin 11207, fol. 23v), middle of the 13th century
Pelicans, with a pelican feeding her young, the Northumberland Bestiary (Getty MS. 100, fol. 41), c. 1250-1260
Pelican reviving her young in a bestiary (BNF Latin 3630, fol. 88v), 3rd quarter of the 13th century
Pelican reviving her young, Bestiaire Divin (BNF Fr. 14964, fol. 127v), 3rd quarter of the 13th century
Pelicans on fols. 101 and 115v of the Aviarium of Hugo de Folieto and a bestiary (BNF Latin 14429), 3rd quarter of the 13th century
Fols. 243 and 261v in Bestiaire Divin/Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 1444), 3rd-4th quarter of the 13th century
Pelicans feeding their young on fols. 17 and 72 of a bestiary, (Getty MS. Ludwig XV 3), c. 1270
Pelicans on fols. 26v and 119v of a psalter (BNF Latin 10435), 4th quarter of the 13th century
Pelicans feeding their young in fols. 21v and 75 in a bestiary (Getty MS. Ludwig XV 4), after 1277
Pelicans in their piety on fols. 66r and 142v of a psalter made for Joffroy d'Aspremont and his wfie (Douce 118), end of the 13th century
Pelican in Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 1951, fol. 18v), 13th-14th century
Pelican feeding her young in Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 12469, fol. 11v), 13th-14th century
Embroidered purse with pelicans and other decorations (V&A 8313-1863), 14th century
Pelican in a bestiary (Douce 151, fol. 40v), c. 1300
Pelican pecking its breast to feed its young, De avibus (Lyell 71, fol. 11v), c. 1300
A pelican biting its breast to revive her babies ("The author says that if his beloved will open her side and pour out her sweet heart and goodwill on him, he too will be revived") in the Bestiaire d'Amour (Douce 308, fol. 97r), 1st quarter of the 14th century
A pelican nests with her young over the Crucifixion, the De Lisle Psalter (Brit. Lib. Arundel 83, fol. 132), c. 1310
A pelican gazes at her young (fol. 90v) and pecks her breast to feed her young (fol. 91r), the Queen Mary Psalter (Brit. Lib. Royal 2 B VII), c. 1310-1320
Fols. 44r and 178r of the Luttrell Psalter (Brit. Lib. Add. 42130), c. 1325-1340
A pelican reviving her young, Bestiaire d'Amours (BNF Fr. 15213, fol. 79v), 2nd quarter of the 14th century
Church wall-painting of a the pelican in its piety at Belchamp Walter, Essex, c. 1350
A quatrefoil of a pelican in her piety over the Crucifixion, a Franciscan missal (Douce 313, fol. 4r), middle of the 14th century
Pelican in her piety, a choir psalter (Liturg. 198, pt. I, fol. 1r), 3rd quarter of the 14th century
Sir Bors the Younger observes the pelican feeding her young, Queste del Saint Graal (BNF Fr. 343, fol. 40v), c. 1380-1385
A pelican in 'Adjâ'ib al-Nakhlûqât (BNF Supplément persan 332, fol. 225), 1388
A brass plate with a pelican in her piety (Met 64.101.1498), 15th century
Tree of Life, Speculum theologiae (BNF Latin 3473, fol. 80v), first part of the 15th century
Pelican piercing her breast to feed her young in the margins of the Hours of Charlotte of Savoy (PML M.1004, fol. 157r), c. 1420-1425
Margin with a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young in a book of hours (PML M.1089, fol. 119r), c. 1425-1450
A pelican in her piety over Crucified Christ with the Virgin, St John the Evangelist and Cardinal Juan de Torquemada by Fra Angelico, 1440-1442
Pelican, De proprietatibus rerum (BNF Fr. 136, fol. 23v), c. 1445-1450
Marginalia with a pelican in a book of hours (PML M.1031, fol. 76r), c. 1445-1460
Reverse of a portrait medal with Vittorino da Feltre by Pisanello, c. 1446
Marginalia with a pelican piercing her breast to feed her young in a book of hours (Douce 248, fol. 38r), middle of the 15th century
The dream of Nebuchadnezzar, Speculum humanae salvationis (BNF Fr. 188, fol. 28v), middle of the 15th century
Marginalia with a pelican in her piety (Rawl. liturg. e. 17, fol. 34v), 3rd quarter of the 15th century
Marginalia with a pelican in a book of hours (Douce 243, fol. 120r), 3rd quarter of the 15th century
Detail of a pelican vulning in the border of an illustration of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the Gualenghi-d'Este Hours (Getty MS. Ludwig IX 13, fol. 187v), c. 1469
Medallion in margin with a pelican in her piety, a book of hours (PML M.285, fol. 151r), c. 1470
A pelican in the margin of the vision of Zacharias, Bible Historiale (Brit. Lib. Royal 15 D I, fol. 219), c. 1470-1479
Margin illustration including a pelican, a book of hours (PML M.312, fol. 104r), c. 1470-1480
A pelican in her piety in the margin of the Crucifixion, a book of hours (Buchanan f. 1, fol. 57v), c. 1471-1500
Marginal illustration of a pelican feeding her young, Noted Breviary of Anthony of Burgundy (Brit. Lib. Harley 2967, fol. 198v), c. 1475
Marginal illustration with a pelican, a book of hours (PML G.4, fol. 113r), 4th quarter of the 15th century
Pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML M.131, fol. 2r), c. 1480
Pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML S.7, fol. 27r), c. 1490
A pelican in her piety on top of a painted crucifix by Antonio de Saliba (V&A 323-1895), c. 1490-1500
Medallion in margin with a pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML M.305, fol. 228v), c. 1495
Allegory of mercy, Speculum animae (BNF Espagnol 544, fol. 16), end of the 15th century
Embroidered altar frontal with a pelican, 16th century
The Theological Virtues: Charity, c. 1500
Pelican in her piety in a book of hours (PML M.0175, fol. 28v), c. 1500
Reverse of St. John the Evangelist on Patmos by Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1504-1505
Wafer iron with a pelican, eagle, lion, and fish (GNM HG 8284), 1531
Fanciful coat of arms with a pelican as the crest (British Museum Gg,4A.8), c. 1530-1562
Printer's mark of Franz Behem; with a pelican piercing its chest for its young (British Museum 1895,0122.500), c. 1530-1580
Pyx with a pelican in her piety on the cover (V&A M.272-1960), c. 1540
Ciborium with a pelican in her piety on the lid (V&A 4285-1857), c. 1540
Pelican in Manuel Philes' Properties of the Animals (BNF Grec 2737, fol. 79v), 1554
A pelican sits on the head of Charity by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1559
The pelican in De animalium proprietate (Auct. F. 4. 15, fol. 8r), 1564
A pelican on a panel (V&A T.33R-1955) from the Oxburgh Hangings, c. 1570-1585
Pelican feeding her young, Physiologus (BNF Grec 834, fol. 37), 1585
Blue glass goblet ornamented in enamels with pelican in piety and lily of the valley (British Museum 1973,0604.2), 1594
Embroidered leather glove with a pelican in her piety, c. 1610-1630

JEWELRY: PENDANTS, BADGES & BROOCHES WITH PELICANS

A devotional badge with a pelican in its piety (MoL 8893), 15th century
Lead alloy pilgrim badge with a pelican in her piety (British Museum 1904,0720.15), 15th century
Gold brooch in the form of a pelican in her piety standing on a scroll; her breast set with a ruby; on the scroll a small bird, five attachments for gems, and set with a diamond; inscribed with the letters 'YMTH' (British Museum AF.2767), 15th century; notes with this item also say "in 1447 Duke Amadeo VIII of Savoy commissioned thirteen pelican brooches as New Year gifts for his family, each one made of gold set with a ruby. See Robinson 2008, p. 72 for reference."
Portrait of Margaret of Austria by Jean Hey, c. 1490; she wears a pendant with a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young
Enamelled gold pendant with a pelican in her piety (V&A 335-1870), c. 1550-1575
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1573-1575; she wears a pendant with a pelican
Gold pendant, enamelled and jewelled; shaped, pierced plaque; Virgin(?) with chalice; quatrefoil pendant at base between two chains attached to pelican in her piety with jewelled wings and baroque pearl for breast; below: monster in coral attached by loops from which hang three quatrefoils with pearl at base of each (British Museum AF.2859), made in Venice, late 16th century
Pendant with a pelican in her piety in enamelled gold and set with diamonds, rubies, and pearls (V&A 4212-1855), c. 1600
Pendant with a pelican in her piety (Met 1982.60.387), first quarter of the 17th century