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Description: | An unidentified copper alloy and iron object of probable Post Medieval date. It is a composite object consisting of two copper alloy discs, which sandwich a (probably) forked spacer. Either the spacer of iron, but not corroded, or the cavity between the discs and the spacer contained an iron element, because the object is magnetic.The upper disc is decorated with a border of small recessed dots around a six petelled flower motif (similar to a compass drawn daisy). Each petal is elliptical and is formed from two ridges and three recesses.There is a small ring in the centre of the flower.The lower disc is not decorated. Fixed to it is a flat strip of copper alloy (6.6mm wide) running three quarters of the way across the reverse face. At the end where it reaches the edge, it is bent into a closed loop, almost entirely concealed behind the disc. The bar is possibly riveted on to the disc. Both plates and the spacer have a slight projection hiding the loop where it projects slightly. There is a circular hole (perhaps a rivet hole) of 1.9mm diameter through the decorated plate, about 4mm from the edge opposite the projection. This interrupts one arm of the flower motif and may have been added later. There appears to be a corresponding hole in the lower plate but it is filled with iron corrosion. The edges of the plate are also damaged in this location, possibly the result of a similar circular hole closer to the edge which has worn through and broken. The damaged area has a partially circular edge to the hole at one end.The object has a diameter of 24.5mm and is 4.36mm thick across the plates and spacer, 9.26mm thick including the loop. 10.46g.The function of this object is not known. It has similarities to lids from small containers such as for coins or jettons, but the spacer construction seems unnecessarily complicated. Some sort of clasp or fitting such as a book fitting or sliding catch is also possible. The constructin and style of decoration suggests a late Medieval or Post Medieval date, perhaps AD 1400 - 1800.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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