HOOKED TAG

CURATOR'S REPORT

A silver hooked tag with double hook, dating to the 9th century.

Description of find

A late Saxon hooked tag with trapezoid headplate, scalloped upper edge, three rivet holes and two hooks and very solidly made.
The front is decorated with a vase containing a flower. Some of the curving leaves and flower stems of the plant are decorated with fine dots and incisions. A dotted and a beaded bar frame the composition on either side. Below, two stylised animal heads extend into the hooks, the proper left of which is missing its tip. Between the animal heads, a cipher resembling the letter 'E' lying on its back is found. The back of the object is plain, if somewhat scratched. Faint green traces between the middle and right rivet holes seem to stem from copper corrosion.

Discussion

Hooked tags are all-purpose fasteners, used to secure small bags or purses and also clothing. They occur in various forms from the late 8th century onwards, but those with triangular head plate seem to become popular only from the 9th century. The animal heads forming the base of the hooks can be paralleled on a hooked tag from Hampshire, which is dated to the 10th century on the basis of its Winchester Style ornament (TAR 2000, cat. no. 50, p. 37f). The beaded border and finely-stippled ornament of the Charminster piece are characteristic of the Trewhiddle Style, which is commonly dated to the 9th century AD, although the date range for the Style has recently been extended (Thomas 2006, 156f). Its larger size, ornament and the presence of two hooks distinguish this object from the majority of hooked tags. Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface indicated that it had a silver content of approximately 94%, the rest being copper with some lead and gold. Examination at low magnification could detect no evidence that it was ever gilded or inlaid.