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Description: | A slightly tapering tube with coiled wire decoration attached to it near the wider end and about two-thirds of the way down. The wider end is closed by a flat plate, secured from coming out by the ends of the tube being bent over. The plate now sits at an angle, with one side pushed slightly down the tube, but it would appear that it originally sat square to the end of the tube. Attached to the plate is a small loop, of fairly flat cross-section. The tube is bent slightly to one side towards its narrower end, the edges of which are folded in. It seems likely that it is broken at this point and that this is probably not the way the piece originally ended.Dimensions: length 26mm; maximum diameter 5mm, tapering to 3mm; weight 1.8gDiscussionThe form can be paralleled in the Roman period by pendant generally known as the 'Hercules' club'. Such pendants appear to have been used both on necklaces and as ear-rings (Johns 1996, 129-30; Allason-Jones 1989, 11-2 Type 15). Another possibility, perhaps the more likely in this case, given the loop is at the wider end, is one half of a necklace-clasp, cf. Thetford treasure (Johns & Potter 1983, 103 nos.37-8).Metal contentX-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis indicated a gold content of 86-88%, with 7-8% silver and 4-6% copper. The gold content is slightly on the low side for Roman gold jewellery, but is within the range of results being obtained by the British Museum for such items coming through the Treasure Act / Treasure Trove process (Cowell & Hook 2010, 182). The composition of the metal does not suggest a piece of modern gold work. The stylistic parallels from the Roman period thus appear to remain the best indicators as to date.
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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