|
Date: |
|
Description: | A Roman (AD 43-410) copper alloy nail cleaner with integral loop, turned through 90 degrees. It measures 40.07mm in length, 10.81mm in max. width and 6.22mm in max. thickness, the diameter of the loop. It weighs 3.96g. The bifurcated end appears worn with some recent damage (a shiny copper alloy is apparent through the darker patination of the metal).The top of the nail cleaner is a horizontal line c.2mm thick. From the centre the 3.4mm wide loop extends backwards, being affixed to the reverse of the body with a rectangular area c.7x5.5mm. The loop is decorated with two grooves flanking either outside edge and creating a wide central mid-rib. Its internal diameter is 3mm in diameter.Below the loop, to the front of the nail cleaner, each corner is faceted, giving the impression of an oval-shaped end and ridged top. The very end measures 10.45mm wide, and it curves out a little to the max.width just below, before narrowing again to 4.89mm wide (and 1.35mm thick) at the opposite, bifurcated end. The body is decorated with three ring-and-dots (central punched circle with two concentric rings around), vertically arranged. Below the third is the beginning of the V-shaped groove, creating the bifurcated end.To the reverse of the nail cleaner, the extension of the loop has been smoothed to amalgamate with the rest of the body. To either side, there are areas of damage, presumably created in the manufacturing process. This side of the nail cleaner has a single ring-and-dot.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
|