|
Date: |
|
Description: | A post-medieval copper-alloy cup-like object, which is possibly a plume-holder from post-medieval to modern horse harness. It has also been suggested that it is a cup weight.The cup has a circular base, sloping sides and an out-turned rim. There is a circular patch of corrosion in the centre of the base; just a rough area on the outside, but a larger area of ferrous corrosion on the inside. The sides are decorated on the outside with an incised line 4mm from the rim, and several similar lines where the rim angles outwards. There is no other decoration or marks. There are three equally spaced holes in the sides round the rim, all intersecting with the lower incised line. These are countersunk from the outside. The cup has a thin brown green patina, more green on the inside, and is still brassy on the outside of the base.The finder has found parallels for this object on the Colchester Treasure Hunting website under Weights, which are identified as bullion cup weights. There are indeed objects identical to this one illustrated, but it remains doubtful that this is the correct identification. Proven cup weights have official marks like stacking weights do, and those with holes to attach handles have the holes positioned on projecting lugs. The objects illustrated on the website seem to be a mixture of bullion cup weights and other cup-like objects like this one which have understandably been mistaken for cup weights. Sets of cup weights had lids like WMID-2A2084, and examples are also illustrated in Bullion Weights by Norman Biggs (page 14 - 18). Also, at 1.08oz, this object is a little too heavy for a 1oz weight.The iron rivet in the centre of the base of this object indicates that it was fixed to something there, and the countersunk holes suggest that something inside the cup was attached with screws. Three holes does not seem suitable for attaching handles as suggested on the Colchester Treasure Hunting Website, though this is the case for examples with two holes. It is possible that this object is a plume holder for use on horse harness of the 18th and 19th century. These object (which include IOW-5A70C7) are very like candle holder sockets, but have rivets or rivet holes to attach the plume, and a rivet or screw to attach the plume holder to the harness.Alternatively, this could be a socket from the end of a tool such as a flail for threshing wheat, or a long staff to hold a lantern, with the three hole attaching the cup to the end of a wooden shaft, and the iron attachment being for a loop or hook to provide articulation with another element.Compare WMID-FF66F1, which was also originally recorded as a cup weight.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
-
-
BOX
A complete circular hinged copper-alloy…
-
-
-
vessel
Pale wooden cup-like vessel with…
-
HARNESS
A possible 19th/ 20th century…
-
WEIGHT
A complete lead or lead…
-
-
|