HOOKED TAG

Hooked tag made from gilded silver, consisting of a triangular plate and a separate hook and loop. Each side of the plate measures 19 mm, and the corners are rounded. The edges are cut into scallops of varying sizes. On the front are three large hemispherical bosses set within twisted wire collars, and three large pellets, each set within a larger scallop and also with a twisted wire collar. There is no central pellet. Each element is probably soldered in place as there are no rivets visible on the reverse. The separate hook and loop also appear to have been soldered in place on the reverse; the loop is now missing. Total length 27 mm. Examined by Dora Thornton, British Museum, who writes: "Silver-gilt tag, probably English and dating to the 16th century, comprising triangular back plate cut from sheet with rounded corners and scalloped edges. Separate hook soldered on reverse; bar attachment, probably also soldered on, now missing at lower and widest edge. On the front are three gilt bosses of hemispherical section set within rope twist borders, arranged in a triangular form. Set between the bosses and edge of the fitting are three smaller studs, also with rope twist borders. The large bosses are probably soldered as there are no rivets visible on the backplate. Total length 27 mm; weight 3.8g. Although it is incomplete, this fitting represents an interesting new type reported under the Treasure Act. Constructed out of relatively heavy elements soldered onto a backplate, its only near comparison is the dress fitting from Nettlestead, Suffolk which comprised a single boss similar to the three here, set instead as a rosette on a spoked wheel (Treasure Report 1998-99 no. 219 p. 87). This was acquired by the British Museum." Declared Treasure 28.08.2002, BM to acquire.