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Description: | A cast copper-alloy bronze 'moustache-like' object. This is a three-dimensional casting consisting of two, part decorated, drop-shaped parts on either side of a central constriction. The constricted area is masked by corrosive products including a large amount of rounded sand (from deposition horizon?). On other examples this constricted area has a central perforation so it is likely that this example also has a now obscured vertical perforation. The drop-shaped parts have elongated narrow tips with abrupt angular terminals, these may be incomplete but appear rounded so could be complete. Both of the drop-shaped parts are decorated with slightly irregualr longitudinal grooves; 23 on one drop-shaped part and 22 on the other. These grooves stop about halfway down just before the broader bodies begin to narrow to the tips. The invasive corrosion extends some way down onto one of the drop-shaped parts and reoccurs further towards the tip as pale green spots. Away from the areas of corrosion the object has a medium/dark brown patina and is in good condition. Although originally thought to be Medieval (Margeson and Cherry 1993) an example in 'The Salisbury Hoard' (Stead 1998) suggests an Iron Age or earlier date. There is another example from Mildenhall (see SF-9183) and these two examples are loosely associated with a scatter of middle Bronze Age finds, as is the case with another recent discovery from Methwold, Norfolk. This supports a middle Bronze Age date for these objects. Their use is unknown and six other examples are known in total.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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