|
Date: |
|
Description: | Incomplete cast copper alloy pin or bobbin of probable late medieval or post medieval date (1400 ?? 1600 AD). The pin is broadly sub-rectangular in plan and profile, with an irregular cross section. The lower part of the pin is missing due to an old break. The pin measures 48.3mm length, 5.5mm width, is 2.4mm thick, and weighs 3.35 grams.
The front and rear faces of the pin have been decorated with a combination of cast/pierced decoration and incised lines. This decoration is very detailed and the skill of the craftsman is clearly evident in the quality and balance of the artefact. The terminal of the pin has a regular fleur-de-lys shaped projection / finial / knop. This knop expands into a shaped sub rectangular panel with angled / bevelled edges. This panel is pierced on its upper most edge by an oval shaped hole (eye) with a diameter of 2.8mm. Beneath this eye are a series of vertical incised linear lines. These are all evenly spaced and the design is mirrored and balanced. Beneath this panel is the upper body of the pin. This has been pieced by two rectangular (vertical) panels, the lower of which is incomplete due to an old break. The two pierced areas are enclosed by two vertical incised lines. On either side of these pierced areas are a series of diagonal incised lines. These lines are clustered into eight groups each consisting of three incised lines. This pattern is repeated exactly on the reverse face. The two other edges are plain and undecorated.
The pin is a mid dark green brown colour with an even and unabraded patina. The base of the pin has been bent and broken. This break is relatively old as the edges are slightly worn; however a patina has not formed suggesting damage in the ploughsoil rather than in antiquity. A direct parallel for this artefact has not been found. It is very similar to several examples recorded in Norwich Households; however these are not as elaborately decorated. The function of these examples is suggested as being hair pins, however due to the damage of this example: other uses, such as a lace bobbin, have also been suggested. The Norwich examples are all dated to the late medieval and post medieval periods specifically the 16th century (Margeson 1993: 9-10 figs 21-23) | Subjects: | Bobbin Hair | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Reavill, Peter - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
PIN
Incomplete cast copper alloy pin…
-
PIN
Incomplete copper-alloy head-dress pin or…
-
BUCKLE
A copper alloy sheet fragment,…
-
Buckle
A copper alloy sheet fragment,…
-
-
-
BROOCH
An incomplete cast copper-alloy cruciform…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete copper-alloy Roman Hod…
-
Pin
Fragment of 17th century silver…
-
PIN
Fragment of 17th century silver…
|