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Description: | A late medieval or early post-medieval (1400-1600) chape from a dagger scabbard. The chape is made from folded copper-alloy sheet that has been crimped and hammered at the edges to create the form. In plan the chape is an irregular, being broadly sub-rectangular in shape, with tapering edges; in cross section the chape is an irregular oval shape. The body of the chape is formed from a single sheet of copper alloy which has been rolled to form a tube. The two edges of the tube overlap on one edge. The lower edge of the tube has a separate circular copper alloy cap soldered in place. The mouth of the chape is oval in shape; being crushed and also damaged by movement in the ploughsoil. The mouth is further strengthen by the addition of a single drawn wire, which is interlaced through two pierced holes. The upper edge of the chape has been decorated by an incised double transverse band, from the left hand corner of which a similar diagonal band extends. The surface of the metal has a black coating which is much abraded. This surface is achieved by the application of Lind seed oil, which is then blackened and is common on metal work of the late medieval period. The patina is of a mid-dark green. The length of the chape is 41.28mm, width is 31.56mm, thickness is 8.13mm and weighs 4.65g.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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