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Description: | A cast copper alloy reliquary pendant, probably of early post-Medieval date, AD 1500 - 1700, in the form of an open work cross.It is of two-piece construction. The base has raised sides on the vertical arm, creating a small chamber, probably to hold a relic or scented material for use as a pomander.The thinner lid is held on by two copper alloy rivets, one at the top of the cross and one at the base. The ends of the arms are trilobate; that at the upper end of the thicker base section having a small, integral suspension loop set at ninety degrees to the plane of the body. Both upper and lower pieces are pierced with a cross made up of a narrow vertical slot and two shorter, horizontal slots. In each of the angles of the cross is a countersunk, circular perforation.Both faces of the cross pendant are decorated with small, moulded integrally cast pellets. There are two rows on each side of the vertical piercing and two shorter rows at the inner end of each of the side arms. There is a larger pellet in each lobe of the arm terminals, except for that at the top of the cross on the reverse where the position of the third pellet is taken up by the suspension loop. The three pellets at each arm terminal are surrounded by a circle of integrally cast decoration giving the appearence of beaded wire.A short section at the outer end of one arm of the reverse has broken away and is missing; this break is patinated and is probably ancient. There is a further break at the base of the cross on the reverse piece; this break is recent as bright brass can be seen. The cross has a smooth, dark brown patina elsewhere. It is 43.8mm long, 36mm wide and 6.1mm thick. It weighs 11.58gm.Two other copper alloy reliquary crosses are recorded on the database, though neither is openwork. See references ESS-7AB096 and SWYOR-7346E4. The decoration is in the same style as filigree dress hooks and hooked tags frequently reported as Treasure, such as SWYOR-58D4F8 and WMID-483471, so a similar date is suggested.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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