Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
DIVIDERS
Unique ID: IOW-800A15
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete pair of post-Medieval copper-alloy dividers (c. 1700-c. 1900).
This mathematical or surveyors' instrument is seized in the closed position. It has a globular head at the hinge. One arm is mostly missing and it is estimated that about 30% (including the pointed shaft) of the adjoining arm survives. The upper and lower parts of this arm are trapezoidal in cross-section. On one side of the lower part is a small circular depression containg iron corrosion and on the underside, part of the iron pointed shaft can be seen.
These dividers are worn and corroded and have traces of a green patina with iron staining from the iron rivet that secures both arms.
Length: 69.6mm; width at head: 15.9mm; thickness at head: 14.3mm. Weight: 30.33g.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1700
Date to: Circa AD 1900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 69.6 mm
Width: 15.9 mm
Thickness: 14.3 mm
Weight: 30.33 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 23rd July 2014
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: IOW2014-4-176
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
District: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Isle of Wight
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: IOW-39A9D3
Object type: DIVIDERS
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete pair of post-Medieval copper-alloy dividers (c. 1700-c. 1900). There is a deep slot in one arm (the outer arm) ending in a glob…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SUR-010582
Object type: DIVIDERS
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A pair of mathematical or surveyor's dividers. When closed the pair would have had a prominent aperture where each arm forms a semicircle. One…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LON-B0DD37
Object type: DIVIDERS
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A pair of post-Medieval iron mathematical or surveyor's dividers (AD 1600-1700).
This instrument has a globular knopped handle at the hinge…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618