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Date: |
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Description: | An incomplete cast copper-alloy object of Iron Age date. It is sub-rectangular in plan with a steeply curved profile, probably partly a result of post-depositional damage. The two sides of the object form lobes projecting upwards to give a U or V-shaped section to the fragment. The front face has moulded decoration comprising a central vertical ridge with vertical grooves to either side, which flares at top and bottom towards the old breaks. Flanking the central rib are two opposing S-shaped motifs with slightly flaring, trumpet shaped, heads, one positioned on each lobe of the plate. These have one larger head (at top?) and one smaller (at bottom?), each with central circular recessed fields that contain pale bright blue products, possibly corrosive products or the remnants of extremely worn enamelling. The back face of the object is undecorated but has bevelled edges on the back face of each lobe. At top and bottom the object terminates in old breaks and it appears to have suffered from some post-depositional damage resulting in a slightly warped form. It has a dark green/brown patina with traces of active copper-alloy corrosion and pitting in places. This fragment measures 19.85mm in length, 23.97mm in width, 7.31mm in thickness, and weighs 10.84g.The precise function of this object remains uncertain. The metal at top and bottom where the object terminates in old breaks is extremely narrow compared to the centre of the plate and the orientation of the lobes appears wrong for objects such as lipped terrets. It is possible that it formed part of a decorative handle, perhaps for a vessel such as a tankard, although no close parallel has yet been identified. The form and decorative elements indicate that it is of Iron Age date, probably in the later stages of the Iron Age and perhaps between the 3rd century BC and 1st century AD.
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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