DRESS FASTENER (DRESS)

TREASURE CASE 2010 T268 Post Medieval Dress Hook

Date of Discovery: 16^th March 2010

Circumstances of discovery: Whilst searching with a metal detector.

Description: Silver-gilt dress hook with applied filigree decoration. The body is trefoil shaped, formed of three domed circles with a scalloped edge. Each dome is decorated with three wire loops with a central knop, with further knops in the spaces between the loops. These knops are slightly damaged with two completely missing. There is a domed rivet at the centre of the body which is undecorated other than the gilding; the reverse of the rivet has two shafts bent at right angles to secure it to the main body of the fitting. The reverse of the fitting has an integrally cast rectangular attachment loop and a soldered silver-silver projecting hook, although most of the gilt is missing. There is a worn makers mark on the reverse of the hook. It is 22.17mm long, 15.58mm wide, 6.23mm thick and weighs 2.45 grams.

Date: Post Medieval - 16^th Century

Disposition: Saffron Walden Museum are provisionally interested in acquiring, pending inquest and TVC.

The object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. Consequently it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.

Laura McLean Finds Liaison Officer, Essex Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service April 2010