Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: WAW-8245C8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper alloy scoop or implement of uncertain dating.
The implement is sub rectangular in both plan and cross section. The front consists of a rectangular handle, with an oval depression (scoop) in the lower end. An old break is present at the upper point of the handle, where it has split into three thin metal rods. At this end of the handle, it would appear to be the start of openwork decoration, however due to the break, the exact form and style of this decoration is unknown.
The back of the implement has a swelling at the back of the scoop, to accomodate the bowl. Along the edges, appear to be a series of small horizontal ridges, perpendicular to the handle, forming a border (2.18mm wide) down each side. The width of this border directly corresponds to the width of the outer two rods at the start of the openwork panel. A row of pellets separates the scoop bowl end from the rest of the handle.
The implement measures 36.18mm in length, 11.25mm wide and 4.02mm thick. The scoop itself measures 10.53mm long, 9.95mm wide and 2.32mm deep. The handle is 2.05mm thick. It weighs 4.8 grams.
The implement is mid to dark green in colour, with an even surface patina. It shows some signs of abrasion, as the decorative details are not particularly clear and easy to distinguish and identify.
No parallels have yet been found for this implement. The scoop itself is too large for a standard ear scoop or similar toilet implement. Another possibility is that it is part of a medical implement. The openwork of the handle is equally unparallelled.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 1800
Quantity: 1
Length: 36.18 mm
Width: 11.25 mm
Thickness: 4.02 mm
Weight: 4.8 g
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: SO8077
Four figure Latitude: 52.39065442
Four figure longitude: -2.29531255
1:25K map: SO8077
1:10K map: SO87NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.