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Description: | A fragment of a cast copper-alloy censer. The fragment is part of a censer of probably architectural form. Censers at this time were often made with covers in the form of Gothic churches and this fragment looks to be part of what was a simple hemispherical dome. However, comparison with other censers shows that the form could have been far more complex. In the absence of further fragments it impossible to say.The fragment has one intact keyhole-shaped perforation but the broken edges show the remainders of numerous other perforations. There are two perforations at the top that may have been keyhole-shaped. Two more certain keyhole-shaped perforations at either edge of the mid-point of the fragment, and one small perforation at bottom right, which is, in the absence of perforations of any other kind, impossible to imagine in its true shape.The surface of the fragment is embellished with complex incised linear decoration. At top there are two vertical lines with a zig-zag between. This same decoration is also seen both sides of the central keyhole perforation. Separating these two areas, a sharply defined horizontal zig-zag and continuous horizontal line. Below and left, three vertical fronds with vertical zig-zags between them, and right, an area of cross-hatching inside a curved line. It can be imagined that the perforations and the decoration would repeat at regular intervals around the circumference of the entire cover. The reverse of the fragment is plain and quite rough. It is pocked with numerous tiny triangular incuse toolmarks, randomly spaced but all aligned pointing upward. It is not clear whether these marks were made prior to casting and in the mould itself or after casting and punched directly into the metal. The fragment is 56.5mm in length, 41mm wide and with an average thickness of 1.5mm. It is estimated that the entire dome, at the mid-point of this fragment, would have been approximately 120-140mm in diameter.A censer cover fragment found in Benfleet, Essex in 2005 also has keyhole-shaped perforations. See ESS-2C9045.
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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