PURSE

Incomplete cast copper alloy purse bar (Ward-Perkins Class A2) of late Medieval or early Post-Medieval date (1475 - 1550).

The purse bar is approximately 20% complete and consists of a fragment of the arm and the terminal. The arm is sub-rectangular in both plan and cross section with an domed cylinder on the end. The attached terminal knop is missing. One remaining semi-circular integrally cast loop, with a central perforation (2.04mm diameter) is present on the lower edge of the surviving arm fragment. The loop measures 9.45mm length, 4.42mm width, and is 1.75mm thick. This would have acted as suspension loops for a leather or cloth purse.

The arm section is sub rectangular in plan and cross section. The central section has been recessed and the remains of an inscription is present. The letters AC[] are present on one side and []SR on the other. The inscribed letters would have been infilled with niello (a silver compound which is black in colour), traces of which are present still within the []SR letters. It is likely that the rest of the bar was either tinned or silvered.

Purse bars were frequently inscribed, often of a simple religious nature. The inscriptions are often blundered and / or mispelt. The most frequently found inscription is that of AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM, BENEDICTA TU IN MULIERIBUS (Hail Mary Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee, Blessed art thou among women). It is possible that the inscription on this purse bar is a blundered version of the AVE MARIA one but not enough of the inscription remains to correctly identify the full inscription.

The purse bar fragment measures 33.55mm in length, 13.94mm width, is 7.75mm thick and weighs 9.8 grams.

The purse bar is a mid green colour with an uneven abraded polished patina which covers most surfaces.

Similar purse bars have been discussed by Ward Perkins in the Museum of London Medieval Catalogue. He classifies this type as Type A2 which is distinguished from the other types by its lack of ornamental decoration, and the use of an inlaid religious or talismanic inscription. Ward Perkins suggests that this type is to the late medieval c.1490 (pp163-165).