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Description: | Silver shield-shaped pendant, with integral suspension loop cast in one plane. Engraved with crude lion rampant on front, probably representing Gules Lion Rampant Argent; on reverse the inscription in Roman capitals: T/NOR/FOC/K, presumably the name of an owner.Length: 20.8 cm, width 8.6 cm, weight: 1.28g. Probably late 16th-early 17th century.Discussion: Compare in form and date to 2007T544 (HESH-A49557), which was found in South Herefordshire and acquired by Hereford Museum and Art Gallery through the Treasure Act 1996. The two items are very similar, down to the insignia and the inscription. The Essex example lacks any enamelling, and the attachment loop appears slightly less robust. Otherwise they are identical artefacts.The South Herefordshire item is thought to be a hawking vervel, used in falconry to attach a bird's leather jesses to a longer leash which would have been held in the hand or affixed to a block. Vervels were engraved so as to allow identification of the bird's owner. The coat of arms and inscription on both items is perhaps an indication that the vervels were owned by the Dukes of Norfolk whose family name is Thomas Howard (Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (1536-1572), Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel, 4th Earl of Surrey and 1st Earl of Norfolk (1585-1646) or Thomas Howard, 5th Duke of Norfolk (1627-1677) as the arms: Gules Lion Rampant Argent is that of the FitzAlan (Earls of Arundel). A title that the Norfolk's inherited with the marriage of Thomas Howard (4th Duke of Norfolk) to Mary FitzAlan.
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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VERVEL
Treasure Case 2007-T544: Specialist Report…
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