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STYLUS
Unique ID: HAMP-E188E3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A copper alloy zoomorphic stylus, 66.2mm in length, decorated in the Romanesque style and c. late 11th to 13th century in date. The stylus has a flared spatulate terminal (the eraser) with curled corners and linear borders which emerges from the mouth of one of two zoomorphic moulded beast heads on the shaft. These heads face in opposite directions, one to each end of the object and are separated by a short (7.5mm) length of circular-section shaft. The long pointed terminal of the stylus emerges from the second head; this tapers to a pointed tip which has been bent. Both oval heads have clearly moulded ears, eyes brows and nose.
Notes:
An example has been excavated from Winchester which similarly depicts the eraser emerging from the mouth of a winged dragon (Biddle, 1990, 731-2, Fig 210, No. 2283). The Winchester 'stylus' (the identification was qualified) was socketed and more detail shown. See also BERK-67C6B2, a comparable example from Oxfordshire.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Donated to a museum
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1080
Date to: Circa AD 1220
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 66.2 mm
Width: 10.3 mm
Thickness: 5.3 mm
Weight: 5.33 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 30th January 2022
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Museum accession number: WINCM: AY 773
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
Parish or ward: Chilcomb (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU4930
Four figure Latitude: 51.06724894
Four figure longitude: -1.30207392
1:25K map: SU4930
1:10K map: SU43SE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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