PURSE

Incomplete cast copper alloy post-medieval purse bar of type B7 (Ward & Perkins, 1940, London Museums Medieval catalogue, page167), Williams Class H2. The main body of the object is formed from a solid square block, 21.4mm wide, 19.34mm long and 8.42mm thick. At the bottom of the block is a central rectangular notch. Extending from one side of the block is an integral arm, circular in section, 21.42mm long and 6.38mm thick. The arm terminates in a slightly pointed domed terminal which is 14.78mm in diameter and 8.3mm thick. The opposite arm is truncated and a tiny fraction survives to the side of the central block. The block has a central sectioned piercing running through from top to bottom. This holds the circular sectioned shaft of a swivelling fitting. The shaft terminates in a sub globular knop which sits between the sides of the rectangular notch. Extending from the opposite end of the shaft, above the central body, is a broad, triangular loop, formed from a folded sheet of metal and set at the narrow end to either side of a solid rectangular block from which the shaft extends below. The loop is 32.14mm long and 34.16mm wide. The loop and main body are decorated with a series of hand punched dots in a scrolled design that is similar to either side, but not mirrored. Most of the dots retain gilding. The original surface of the object survives with an even dark green patina. The break edge on the arm, though not fresh, is not worn, suggesting it occurred in the recent past. The object weighs 58.58g. This style of purse bar dates from the mid 16th century.

This object was published by Williams (2018, 8; fig. 20).