PURSE

An incomplete copper alloy purse bar dating to the late medieval to post medieval period (c.AD 1400-1600). Williams (2018) Class C1.

The object consists of a central sub-rectangular block with a small arms protruding from each side. One arm is broken, the other is complete and has a circular section and terminates in a rounded knop. Separately attached to the arm is a small suspension loop with a worn break. Atop of the block is an incomplete oval loop which  has an integral shaft that penetrates through the central block to the other side and is finished with a rounded knop. This acts as a swivel and still moves. One face of the is worn and shows the shaft of the swivel. The object is undecorated and has a worn surface with a light green patina.

Dimensions: Length 31.2mm; width 40.7mm; thickness (block) 7.6mm; weight 15.64g

The PAS finds recording guide for purses states that: "Traditionally such framed purses have been dated to the 15^th and 16^th centuries (c. 1450-1550), based on depictions on monumental brasses and other sources (Ward Perkins 1940).  Recent work by David Williams (2018, 11) has stretched the overall dating back to the 1440s, and forwards to the very early 17^th century.  The Mary Rose which sunk in 1545 has yielded three bars specifically of Williams Class J (Gardiner and Allen (eds) 2005, 112-113; fig. 3.7)." - https://finds.org.uk/counties/findsrecordingguides/purses/ 

This example fits within Williams (2018) Class C1, for which the central blocks can be large, and rectangular or shield-shaped.