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Description: | A complete pair of cast copper alloy nut crackers, of Post Medieval / Late 18th Century date. The nut crackers consist of two identical parts hinged together at the top. The hinge is cast and held by a copper alloy axis bar. The upper part is made up of two solid plates, which a faceted D shape in cross section . The inside surface has three lines of irregularly spaced triangular nicks designed to hold the nut securely. Below this is an ornately turned area with a repeating designs of plain collars either side of a collar decorated with frequent vertical lines. The 'handles' are located below the turned area, and consist of a D section element that curves initially away from the main area and then tapers back in, terminating with turned out points. An oval space is formed between the two handle when placed together. The upper part of the cracker is decorated on each of the faceted edges with a series of circular punched stamps arranged in a curvilinear (S shaped oscillating scroll) pattern. The edges of the facets are also decorated with repeating horizontal lines. Although the lower handles are worn and slightly abraded they do not seem to be decorated. The nutcrackers are a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail. Several other complete or nearly complete nut crackers have been recorded on the PAS database including: WMID-1BA804, LVPL-EDF472, LEIC-E45056, YORYM-606167, SWYOR-EE9E14, LVPL-314DB0 and HAMP3159. All are considered to be Late 18th Century in date.The nutcrackers measurewhen closed: 97.8 mm long, 35.7 mm wide and 11.6 mm thick.when open, they are 187.3mm long, 10.5 mm wide and 7.9 mm thick.They weigh 55.43 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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