BERK-C40BA6: Medieval copper alloy mirror case

Rights Holder: West Berkshire
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MIRROR CASE

Unique ID: BERK-C40BA6

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A Medieval copper alloy complete mirror case with the glass fragmented but still present (AD 1270-1350). The mirror case comprises two slightly convex cast discs (diameter 30.31mm), each with a single lug on one side and a pair on the other. One disc has the pair of lugs drilled through for a copper alloy rivet, which acted as the hinge for the case. The recessed inner surfaces still contains traces of the mirror and the cement (calcium carbonate) to hold the glass in place. The glass is now fragmented and separate to the mirror but still present. The glass would have been convex (to create magnification) and coated on the back with lead (to provide the reflection). (Egan and Pritchard 1991: 361). Any decoration is obscured by concretions. Pale green patina. This mirror case is very similar to examples excavated in London and dated AD 1270-1350 (Egan and Pritchard 1991: 361-2 Dimensions: length 44.23mm; width 30.21mm; thickness 7.10mm; diameter 30.31mm; weight 18.12g Reference: Geoff Egan, Frances Pritchard Dress Accessories (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London)

Find of note status

This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: Returned to finder.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1270
Date to: AD 1350

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 44.23 mm
Width: 30.31 mm
Thickness: 7.1 mm
Weight: 18.12 g
Diameter: 30.31 mm

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Monday 1st November 2004 - Monday 1st August 2005

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Glass
Manufacture method: Cast

Spatial metadata

Region: South East (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Oxfordshire (County)
District: South Oxfordshire (District)
To be known as: Lewknor

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Current location: Returned to finder.
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Operations to a depth greater than 0.25m

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Egan, G. and Pritchard, F.	1991	Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London 3) (1991)	London	Stationery Office Books	361-2

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: BERK
Created: 18 years ago
Updated: 13 years ago

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