|
Date: |
|
Description: | Cast lead or lead alloy weight of probable medieval date (1200 - 1550).
The weight is sub-triangular (triangular with rounded corners) in plan, and sub-rectangular in profile. It is also sub-rectangular in cross section. The front and rear faces have bevelled edges and recessed panels. The weight measures 69.7mm in length, 48.5mm width, and is 12.1mm thick. It weighs 179.67 grams (6.337 ozs or 2772 grains). The top corner of the weight is slightly thicker than the other two and has a small rounded knop on the top most edge. This bulge might either be a result of casting or be a deliberate designed thickening. A possible reason for this thickening is that below this point is sub-circular cast hole. Such thickening might strengthen this hole and prevent damage through wear caused by repeated use. The hole is set through the front and rear faces of the weight and is slightly elipsical. It measures 6mm in length and 3.9mm in width.
The front face of the weight has a central sub-rectangular recessed panel. This panel measures 41.6mm in height and 31.6mm width. Within this panel is a series of deeply incised line decorations which form a maze like pattern. The decoration consists of three groups of linear lines which create decreasing concentric sub-rectangles. These three rectangles are further sub divided by a cross (with a vertical and horizontal axis). In the lower right divsion of the cross is another design. This design could be a small sheild with an animal (possible a swan) above it but is difficult to interpret due to the crude design and abrasion to the design. The reverse of the weight has a sub-triangular recessed panel but is completely plain with no decoration.
The weight is a light yellow grey with an even patinia which covers all surfaces. As mentioned above, the weight has been damaged in the plough soil and there are a number of linear gashes, and areas of heavy abrasion.
Although I can find no direct parrelels for this weight, smilar shaped ones are illustrated in Norman Biggs' English Weights - an illustrated survey, pp 40-45. These have been dated from the thirteenth century through to the late fifteenth. | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 1200
1500 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Peter Reavill | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
WEIGHT
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
Weight
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
WEIGHT
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
WEIGHT
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
Weight
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
WEIGHT
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
WEIGHT
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
WEIGHT
Cast lead or lead alloy…
-
-
|