Record ID: LON-072E11 - POST MEDIEVAL knife

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KNIFE

Unique ID: LON-072E11

Object type certainty: Certain

An incomplete post medieval iron knife with a copper alloy sheet handle. The sheet handle is a heptagon in section and tapers towards the handle. Each facet of the heptagon contains four panels; there are 28 panels in total. Each panel is stamp decorated in relief and is within a linear border.

The central facet is thinner than the other six, and its four panels contain (in order from blade to terminal): three five-pointed stars; two rings with trilobe protrusions on either side and one five-pointed star; a branch-like staff with pairs of smaller branches extending from it; the initials WEC with an arrow to their right. The pair of three facets then have a replicated design. The first set of three have an arrow with a rounded centre; a face on a shaft with a rounded section above and below; an arrow with a rounded centre. The next six have a rabbit or dog on them, with a solid triangle at the blade end and a three pronged design at the terminal end; four of the rabbits/dogs face the terminal end and two face the blade end. The next sets of three have: a pair of dogs or rabbits facing the blade end; a naked female figure; a pair of dogs or rabbits facing the terminal end. The final six panels all contain a naked female figure. Between each set of seven panels is a beaded border or collar.

The terminal cap and any filling of the handle are missing. Inside the handle the tang of the blade is visible. The blade is very corroded and is missing its tip. The knife now measures 137.2mm (length) x 15.5mm (width) x 12.7mm (depth) x 2.7mm (thickness of blade) and weighs 17.84g.

The design on the handle suggests an African or New World influence, but the general shape and manufacture of the knife is typical for European knife of the 16th to 17th centuries.

This is a find of note and has been designated: Include in PostMedArch

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700

Dimensions and weight

Length: 137.2 mm
Width: 15.5 mm
Thickness: 12.7 mm
Weight: 17.84 g
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Iron [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Secondary material: Copper alloy [scope notes| view all attributed records]
Completeness: Incomplete [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Region: South East And London
County: Greater London
District: Tower Hamlets
Parish: Tower Hamlets

Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: TQ3380
The map has been degraded and provides an approximate location with a degree of random obfuscation.
Grid reference source: GPS (From FLO)
Grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]
General landuse: Open fresh water [scope notes]
Specific landuse: Running water [scope notes]

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Miss Kath Creed - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Miss Kath Creed - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

References cited

No references cited so far.

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