EN
Devotional articles are defined as miniature images of saints and the secrets of Christian faith. The name is used also in reference to small objects such as rosaries and scapulars, used in religious practices (M. Pisarzak 1985, p. 1226; P. Pachciarek 2006, p. 91). These belong among objects closely associated with worship. The article reports on objects of religious devotion in collection of the Department of Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeology of the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw associated with the Roman Catholic church. Some of these finds are published here for the first time; the author hopes that their analysis and interpretation will help improve our understanding of this class of objects. Grójec, distr. loco, Mazowieckie voiv. Holy medal, oval-shaped, cast bronze. On both faces, raised image in relief, worn out (Fig. 1). On obverse, Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów, Saint Casimir, and a kneeling figure, probably Piotrowin. On reverse, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier. The medal was discovered in a disturbed context and its dating is therefore problematic. Obviously this must have been after canonisation of saints Francis Xavier and Ignatius of Loyola (1622). According to known analogies (T. Rewoliński 1887, pl. XXI:1088.1089) this medal may be dated to the 2nd half of 17th c. or to 18th c. Grójec, distr. loco, Mazowieckie voiv. Fragment of a rosary: six barrel-shaped wooden beads joined with chain links of copper wire (Fig. 2). Alas, according to the excavation report (S. Suchodolski 1979, p. 209) it came from a disturbed layer and cannot be dated precisely. Wierzbica, distr. Radom, Mazowieckie voiv. Latin cross, in sheet bronze (Fig. 3). Over the horizontal beam, a cartouche with a poorly legible inscription, presumably, INRI. Wierzbica, distr. Radom, Mazowieckie voiv. Plaque with the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa and Infant Jesus. Apparently this find belongs in a group of depictions which show the Madonna and Infant Jesus wearing open crowns (Fig. 4), a usage introduced after the papal coronation of 1717. This helps in dating the cross and the plaque, both of which occurred in a grave of a woman, to the 18th c. A cemetery near Saint Stanislaus Church at Wierzbica was used not later than 1840-ties (A. Czyżewska 2004, p. 121) what makes a terminus ante quem of the finds. Warsaw, Mazowieckie voiv. Small image of Christ crucified, discovered in 1933. Presumably, in cast lead, substantially eroded (Fig. 5). Arm missing. As a stray find the image can only be dated tentatively to 19th c.; perhaps it may be connected with a cemetery (Polish: Cmentarz Ujazdowski) existed here in 1831–1838. Next to their religious function devotional articles were often ascribed with special powers. They were believed to ward off evil, protect from misfortune, disease and pestilence. Devotional articles are also a testimony of faith which was expressed through outer forms. They brought the faithful closer to God because they made possible a more intimate and tangible contact with God. The wide range of articles associated with devotion was obviously dictated by the demand of the religious people which in turn was promoted by newly introduced and developing forms of religious worship and practices accompanied by an exceptional activity of religious orders and other members of the clergy. The set presented in the article will help improve our understanding of this rather neglected category of finds only to a limited extent. We can only hope that continued publication of devotional articles languishing in museum collections will make possible the formulation of more detailed conclusions.