BIRD FEEDER

An incomplete Lead Bird Feeder of Medieval to Post-Medieval date (AD 1450-1700). The object is now flattened with damage to the rim.

The object has a flat back, to allow it to sit up against a cage, while the front of the feeder would have been rounded. This is evident in the plano-convex shape of the base. The upper rim of the bird feeder and retains a line, with a double cast line in the body of the object. A single perforation is present toward the base at the back of the object which would have allowed the bowl to be affixed to the cage.

Height: 54.69mm, Width: 80.76mm, Thickness: 9.73mm, Weight: 103.9g

The metal is cream and grey in colour with a predominantly smooth patina.

See Egan 2005 ("Material Culture in London in an Age of Transition", Museum of London) p128-9 for similar items identified as bird feeders from excavated examples and contemporary illustrations. Egan states that these were used for holding water, green plants or seed for caged birds, and that "decorated troughs seem to date from the late 15th/16th centuries and later, while plainer versions continue at least until the late 17th century".

Although generally interpreted as bird feeders, these artefacts may also have been die shakers or measures. A parallel for this feeder was found in excavations in Southwark, London (Egan 2005: 129, no. 617).

Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database: BERK-19E598, BERK-0FEA63 and LVPL-E9C366.