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Description: | Small fragment from a cast copper alloy chafing dish 'drop' handle of late Medieval or Post Medieval date (1400-1650). The fragment is small and comprising the central V from of the handle which was probably originally W shaped in plan. In cross section it is an irregular hexagon. The upper section of the handle is lost on both sides - the upper parts would join with a lug that fitted the handle to the vessel. This lug would allow the handle to swing and pivot. Originally the frame of the handle was sub-triangular being broadly an inverted heart. The edges of the frame are all faceted (on both faces) and all edges have been heavily filed. Evidence for this can be seen in the multiple patinated diagonal file marks present on those affected surfaces. A distinct casting ridge is present on both the edges; it has been trimmed and flattened prior to filing. The handle is a mid green grey colour with an even, but slightly abraded patina. The breaks present are similarly patinated suggesting that they are ancient, pre-deposition damage.Chafing dishes were domestic utensils made of metal or earthenware for holding burning charcoal or other combustible material. This was then used to cook food or keep it hot at the table. This particular handle is probably from a type B1 chafing-dish. This type of dish dates to 1450 - 1550 AD (Lewis, J.M. 1973 'Some types of metal chafing-dish' Antiquaries Journal, Volume 53 pp. 60-70 Society of Antiquaries). A number of similar handles are recorded on the PAS database. This example was found in the same field as this slightly larger fragment - recorded as HESH-ED95E4 http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/538458The handle fragment measures 19.7mm length 32.6mm width, is 4.4mm thick and weighs 5.94 grams.
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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