UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A copper alloy possible Medieval pin head, button or purse bar or strap fitting terminal. 

The object is globular with a slightly flattened top. The head is decorated with a series of incised lines that start from a central circular impression at the top of the head and spiral around the circumference of the head to the base where the head extends on to an integral, circular sectioned, shaft. Only a small fragment of the shaft remains. The break of the shaft has a well developed patina as seen across all surfaces which is light green in colour. 

The function of the item is uncertain, it is possible that a loop extended from the broken terminal and the object was a button similar to SWYOR-6E1F18 discovered in Yorkshire. The item has a similar globular head and similar decoration. The button is dated to the 15th/16th century. The object also shares similarities with LIN-6D3431 discovered in Lincolnshire and NARC-559476 discovered in Leicestershire which are Early Medieval pin heads dating to AD 700-850. Another suggestion is that this example may be a purse bar terminal such as KENT-E34834 discovered in Greater London which is also suggested as possibly coming from a sword belt fitting and dating to 15th-16th centuries. Strap fittings dating to a similar period also have similarly decorated teminals such as BERK-9CA5D2 discovered in West Berkshire and DEV-E7FBA6 discovered in Devon. These are described as belt hooks and purses may have been suspended from them. They also date to 15th-16th centuries.

The object measures 10.9 mm in length, 9.8 mm in diameter. It weighs 1.9 grams.