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Description: | An incomplete silvered copper alloy probable toilet implement of unknown dating, probably Roman to Post Medieval dating (43 AD - 1700 AD).The find consists of a strip of rectangular sectioned copper alloy, with a S-twisted mid section and incomplete ends. Traces of silvering are present in the recesses of the twists.The probable toilet implement is a mid to dark green colour with a even surface patina.It measures 47.4 mm in length, 3.5 mm wide and 3.9 mm thick. It weighs 2.6 grams.Twisted handles are to be found on Roman cosmetic implements, although distinguishing them from medical implements is difficult, as is often acknowledged. A toilet implement with a S-twisted handle and pinnate extant terminal can be found illustrated in Bishop (1996, 39; ref. 214). Perhaps an even more directly comparable object can be found on this database - ref. IOW-8E5564. Spoon-probes with S-twisted or barley twist handles can be found illustrated in Crummy (1983, 61; refs. 1926, 1927).However the twisted style of handle for toilet implements returned to fashion during the late Medieval Period (14th to 16th Centuries AD). Three similar earscoops (Pritchard, 1991, 379, #1758-1760) were recovered from the Baynard House and the Billingsgate sites in London, dated to Ceramic Phases 10 & 11 (c.1300 to c.1400). Each of these three were made from sheet metal, hammered into a scoop at one end and a flat pointed tip at the other, with a S-twisted shank.This find is more similar to those of Medieval to Post Medieval dating, but there is a still a possibility that it is of Roman dating.Reference:Bishop, M C. 1996. Finds from Roman Aldborough: A Catalogue of Small Finds from the Romano-British Town of Isurium Brigantum. Oxbow Monograph 65. Oxbow Books. OxfordCrummy, N. 1983. The Roman Small Finds from excavations in Colchester 1971-9. Colchester Archaeological Report 2. Colchester Archaeological Trust. ColchesterEgan, G. & Pritchard, F. 1991. Dress Accessories: Medieval Finds from Excavations in London. Museum of London / London: The Stationery Office.Pritchard, F. 1991. Cosmetic Sets in Egan & Pritchard, 1991. pp377-383.
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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