|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy tankard handle of later Iron Age date. It comprises a flattened copper alloy plate for attachment to the vessel that is heavily pock marked, has a dark brown patina and is very slightly curved in profile. This measures 20.38mm in surviving height, 16.54mm in surviving width, and 2.81mm in thickness. On the exterior surface can be seen three quarters of a deeply incised ring and dot motif that consists of a large circular incision measuring 7.52mm in diameter and approximately 1.1mm in depth. At the centre of the circle is a small incised dot measuring 2.08mm in diameter. The larger circle is bordered by a thin, incised concentric circle that measures 10.12mm in diameter. The top of this decorative motif is missing due to old breaks. To the left of this first group of concentric circles is a second similar group, most of which is now missing due to old breaks. There is a small perforation at the top of the fragment, but it is uncertain whether this was part of the original decoration/form of the object or simply the result of later damage.
Positioned in between and just below the two groups of ring and dot decoration is the start of a now incomplete integral handle. This is pointed oval shaped in section and curves quite sharply. As with the flattened attachment plate it has extensive pock marks and a dark brown patina. Towards the point where the surviving section of handle terminates it begins to flare horizontally. The upper or exterior surface of the handle is decorated with a thinly incised groove that runs from the attachment plate down the middle of the handle before expanding in width to a large and deep V-shaped groove at the break. This incised area is filled with a bright red-pink enamel. The handle measures 24.12mm in length, 12.26mm in width at the widest point, and 5.22mm in thickness.
The fragment as a whole measures 27.13mm in length (including handle), 16.54mm in width, 20.38mm in height, and weighs 10.93g.
The use of enamel on the handle combined with the ring and dot motifs on the attachment plate suggest an Iron Age date for this object. A series of later Iron Age tankard handles from Camerton share some similarities with this example, although are more elaborate in form (Jackson, 1990: pp. 44-46, pls. 12, IIb, nos. 119-121). Additionally, similar examples from a variety of Iron Age contexts are published by Jope (2000: plates 227-230). In particular examples from Scotland (plate 227a, 230c) and Cambridgeshire (plate 227f) demonstrate similar form, while a single, and very elaborate, example from Catterick in Yorkshire (plate 230k) demonstrates the use of enamelling. The current example is probably of similar form, function and date. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Brown, Andrew | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
VESSEL
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
-
TANKARD
Late Iron Age copper alloy…
-
TANKARD
Late Iron Age copper alloy…
-
VESSEL
A copper alloy shield shaped…
-
VESSEL
A probable cast copper alloy…
-
-
-
HOARD
On 19th December 2007, Mr.…
-
Tankard
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
-
TANKARD
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
|