Rights Holder: Frank Basford
CC License:
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Unique ID: IOW-B72041
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Complete gilded silver hat-hook or cap-badge of late fifteenth to the first half of the sixteenth century date (c. AD 1475 - c. AD 1550). Treasure case no. BM2004 T359. Length 15mm, width 14mm and maximum thickness 6mm. Weight 3.62g.
The front of the plate is in the form of a stylised flower with four main petals at the corners and four smaller petals between. Each of the larger petals is enhanced with moulded "ribs" and each is slightly different. The centre of the flower is formed by a raised truncated pyramid. The rear side of the plate has a soldered pin which is slightly out of alignment and doubles back to make contact with the plate. The end of the pin is also bent back towards the plate and tapers to a sharp point. The soldered part of the pin is flattened and the remaining part is sub-circular in cross-section. The surface of the rear face is striated with many linear "scratch marks" which perhaps, reflect the surface of the mould in which the piece was cast. Alternatively, the scratch marks may have been created whilst the object was in use. The object is slightly worn.
Notes:
This cap-badge belongs to a small group to have been reported as Treasure, some in gold with enamel and gemstones, others with relief subjects in silver-gilt. The attachment indicates a cap-badge rather than a dress-hook. The hook would be passed through the brim and into the crown of the cap to create the profile and decorative effect as depicted in the portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger of Simon George - c 1540 (Gaimster, D. Hayward, M. Mitchell, D. and Parker, K. 2002. "Tudor Dress-Hooks: A New Class of Treasure Find in England". The Antiquaries Journal. 82, 182. Society of Antiquaries of London.
Class: hat hook
Current location of find: The British Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2004T359
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1475
Date to: Circa AD 1550
Quantity: 1
Length: 15 mm
Width: 14 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 3.62 g
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 25th September 2004
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Other reference: IOW2004-157 (Treasure case no. BM2004 T359)
Treasure case number: 2004T359
Museum accession number: 2006,0301.1
Primary material: Silver
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gaimster, D., Hayward, M., Mitchell, D. and Parker, K. | 2002 | Tudor silver-gilt dress-hooks: A new class of treasure find in England | London | The Society of Antiquaries | 182, fig. 19 |