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Description: | A cast copper-alloy ball headed pin of probable middle/late Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) date (c. 720-c. 900 AD). This solid pin is composed of three elements; the head, the collar and the shank which is formed of two distinct parts.The head of the pin is sub-spherical in form and has four evenly spaced prominent pointed projections around the girth. There is a similar but slightly larger projection at the apex of the head. No other decoration on the head is apparent but may be absent due to corrosion. The head of the pin, excluding the projections, has a height of 9.3mm and a diameter of 8.6mm. Including the projections, the height is 11.1m and the diameter is 12.4mm. Below the head a square collar measures 6.1 x 6.1mm. This collar divides the head from the upper part of the shank. This upper part is square in cross-section and has a length of about 12.5mm. It flares slightly in width and thickness. At the top it measures 4.8 x 4.8mm and the measurements at the bottom are 5.8mm x 5.8mm. The lower part of the shank tapers and is about 40.3mm in length. Its cross-section is difficult to ascertained due to corrosion and pitting. However, it seems to have been roughly square in cross-section; two opposite faces appear to be flat and the other faces are very slightly convex. This lower part curves throughout its length. It measures 4.1 x 4.2mm at the top and 2.6 x 2.6mm at the bottom where there is an old transverse abraded break. All three elements of this pin are severely corroded and also deeply pitted. The projections, which were probably all pointed, have last their patina. The head and the upper part of the shank may have been decorated but has been lost to corrosion. There are traces of gilding on the head and the upper part of the shank but not on the lower part of the shank. The pin is a mid-dark green brown colour with an even but abraded patina that covers all surfaces. The damage through abrasion has affected all three parts of the pin, but especially the projections and incised pattern on the head. The point of the pin may also have been lost but this damage is likely to have occurred in antiquity as the patina covers this area. 68.1 x 12.4 x 12.2mm. Weight: 11.52g.Dating this type of ball headed pin is particularly difficult as there is some uncertainty in distinguishing the difference between those made in the middle to late Early Medieval (Saxon) period (720-900 AD) and those made in the post-medieval period (1500 - 1650 AD). Silver pins of the later (post-medieval) date usually have applied filigree (twisted) wire decoration on their heads formed in scroll, trefoil and quatrefoil patterns. It is likely that this pin dates from the Middle Early-Medieval period rather than the post-Medieval period. Parallels on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database for ball headed pins of middle/late Anglo-Saxon date are: NMS-847193, SF9821 and SF10054. However, these are coupled with filigree spirals on the head. Ball-headed pins with filigree circles, indicating an early post-med date, tend to have very small bosses - except sometimes for a single large boss on the top. Parallels for the solid ball headed pin lacking decoration are: NMS-EEECD5, DENO-3A4A54 and NMS-3DDAA3. For a distant parallel, see: HESH-E6B471.
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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