BRACELET

SILVER BRACELET FROM Brecon Area
(WALES 2010W25)

Circumstances of discovery

A silver bracelet was found by XXXX on 20th April 2009.
It was not identified as potential treasure, under the Treasure Act 1996, until shown to Peter Reavill, Finds Liaison Officer for Shropshire and Herefordshire. on 14th December 2010.

Description of the find

Plain silver wire bracelet closed by a hook-and-eye catch. The wire is generally of fairly uniform diameter but at one end has been tapered to about half thickness and bent through a right-angle to form the hook. The other end has been flattened out, and rolled outwards and back on itself, to form the eye. The eye is decorated by two longitudinal grooves.

Dimensions:

54 by 43 mm, max. thickness 2.5mm, weight 6.8g

Discussion

The bracelet is of a plain, simple form, lacking any diagnostic decoration, making it impossible to date with any certainty. The appearance and state of preservation of the silver, even allowing for it possibly having been vigorously cleaned since being retrieved, show no signs to suggest an object that has been buried for many centuries.

Conclusion

While the bracelet appears to be solid silver, so over 10% precious metal, there is insufficient evidence to suggest, with any confidence, that the piece is more than 300 years old. It is my opinion, therefore, that it can not be established to be treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.

Evan Chapman
Curatorial Officer
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
21' April 2011