TOY

An incomplete lead-alloy unidentified object, possibly a toy or a mount of probable Post-medieval date. The artefact depicts St George and the Dragon, one fragment has a depiction of part of a knight, only a section of the body of the horse and the leg of the knight, who Is wearing Armour is visible. The other fragment shows part of the body, the neck and a leg of the Dragon, as well as the bottom of the knights foot. The two pieces connect at the foot although both pieces have been bent inwards. The back is flat apart from a large circular attachment (c.17.6mm in length) which tapers towards the tip (max thickness 12.3mm min thickness 5.65mm). The artefact bears similarities with Egan, 2004, equestrian figures type 4, which are flat cast with detail on one side. One example is Medieval in date, the other designs are 18Th century. Both fragments are heavily worn and bent in places.

Examples of pilgrim badges with depictions of St George and the Dragon are known, consequently the motif would not be out of place in a Medieval context, which is also attested by an example in Egan 2004. Due to the attachment on the reverse a Post-medieval date is suggested.

The fragment depicting the horse and George is 32.5mm in length, 20.15mm wide, 22.4mm thick including the attachment, 5.35mm thick excluding the attachment and weighs 14.7grams. The fragment depicting the Dragon is 29.8mm in length, 36.9mm wide, 5.5mm thick and weighs 13.0 grams. A combined weight is given below.