|
Date: |
|
Description: | A largely complete but bent hook-piece from a copper-alloy post-medieval book-clasp. It is sub-rectangular in shape, with a flared attachment end. At the opposite end is a curved hook (5.4mm wide) the tip of which has been lost. Beyond this the main body of the clasp is 14.2mm in width, flaring to a maximum of 16.5mm at the attachment end. There is only one rivet hole, near the attachment end, it is filled with iron corrosion, probably from the rivet. Around this hole at at the hook end is raised, possibly cast, decoration. The rivet hole is surrounded by a raised ring around which is a ring of petal shapes. At the hook end are (closest to the hook) a row of pellets, then another row of smaller pellets then a row of mascles (hollow diamond shapes) with a pellet in each one then probably nother row of pellets and finally a row of three incised double pheons (arrows).
Book-claps bearing similar decorative motifs can be found illustrated in Crummy (1998, 68). These examples are given a 17th-century date although some similar book clasps are thought to be c.1550-1750 in date. This artefact has a dark red-brown colour. It is c. 47mm long, 0.9mm thick and weighs 3.28 grams. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Burnett, Laura - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
|
|