TOY

A Post Medieval lead alloy toy pot hanger, dating mid to late 17th century. This includes the saw-toothed adjustable ratchet or trammel with 11 straight-sided teeth, hanger, curving hook and suspension loop. The front surface is decorated with moulded chevrons extending down the length of the ratchet and along the arm. The chevrons on one side are infilled with cross hatching and on the other side they are three pellets arranged in a triangular pattern. The chevrons across the arm have the same cross hatching but they only have one pellet in the opposing chevrons. At the junction between the ratchet and the arm there is a diamond shaped cell with a quatrefoil inside. On the arm there are two further curving hooks projecting below the arm. The top of the hook projects above the arms and both have a fleur de lys terminal. These are also decorated with the same chevron pattern and on the arm.

Forsyth & Egan (2005:127) illustrate two pot hangers, although neither have the cross arm that this example has. The authors note, "The adjustable ratchet hanger or trammel with saw-toothed bar come into common use from the early 17th century...The ratchet system allowed pots to be raised or lowered over the fire as required and this degree of flexibility made open-hearth cooking easier and safer. On the whole, surviving full-scale adjustable hangers are plain and functional... The toy hangers have elaborate decoration and were probably made during the mid to late 17th century."

Dimensions: length: 71.68mm; width: 39.44mm; thickness: 5.27mm; weight: 5.94g.

Reference:Forsyth, H. and Egan, G. 2005. Toys, Trifles and Trinkets. Base Metal Miniatures from London 1200 to 1800. Unicorn Press, London.