Rights Holder: Winchester Museums Service
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
PURSE
Unique ID: HAMP-5D4621
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A damaged and incomplete late medieval cast copper-alloy purse bar, of Ward Perkins Class A2. The surviving elements constitute the bars - one complete and bent, the other is incomplete; the break is located near the central block.
The central block is shield shaped with a flattened top and base. It features a central longitudinal perforation for the shank (Dia.: 6.0mm), recessed at the base. The block measures 19.25 by 17.25 by 10.95mm. The boss is inscribed 'IhS' on one face, possibly 'RI' on the other face. The back is incomplete at the base on the face which is inscribed 'IhS'.
Emerging from either side of the central block emerge the arms; the complete arm is bent at a forty five degree angle. The complete arm has two semi-circular attachment plates (L.: c 11.8mm) on the lower surface, perforated for attaching the purse. The arm terminates in a rounded knop, oval in cross-section; a narrowed protrusion possibly emerged from its centre, though the 'break' is now too abraded to tell. Although the arm is worn in places remnants of an inscription are visible: 'PLENA d...' on one face; the other face is worn and illegible. These derive from the common inscription 'AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA' ('Hail Mary full of grace'), with the 'Gracia' misspelled (see WILT-76B1D0 on this database for the same error). The bar has corroded to a dark grey/green colour.
Class:
bar
Sub class: Williams Class A2
Inscription:
PLENA d[...] / IhS / ?RI
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1450
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 95.85 mm
Width: 17.15 mm
Thickness: 10.75 mm
Weight: 49.61 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: E3508
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Sussex (County)
District: Chichester (District)
Parish or ward: Duncton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU9616
Four figure Latitude: 50.935467
Four figure longitude: -0.635166
1:25K map: SU9616
1:10K map: SU91NE
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: HAMP-4AEB94
Object type: PURSE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A damaged and incomplete late medieval cast copper-alloy purse bar. The surviving elements constitute the (now partial) iron loop, with its s…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: HAMP-C2AEE3
Object type: PURSE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A damaged and incomplete late medieval cast copper-alloy purse bar. The surviving elements constitute the loop, with its shank and rove, and …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: ESS-229D82
Object type: PURSE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Medieval cast copper alloy purse bar. Formed of a central rectangular boss cylindrical opening through it, where the swivel and suspension lo…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618