VESSEL

A suspension loop or handle lug from a sheet copper-alloy vessel of probable Medieval date. It is formed from a single sheet of copper-alloy that has a transvers fold creating a front and back plate of equal size, the fold forming a rounded upper edge. Both plates taper towards their base giving them a triangular form. At the top centre of the object is a large oval aperture that shows signs of use-wear at its upper edge. At the base of the object is a central circular rivet hole that retains a separately cast copper-alloy rivet with flattened heads. This holds the front and back plates of the object together, a small fragment of the sheet rim of the vessel visible between the two plates. The entire object measures 40.89mm in length, 43.53mm in width, 5.52mm in thickness and 15.47g in weight.

This is a sheet handle lug or loop of Medieval date. A similar example is noted from London perserving the entire vessel, lugs and suspension chain. This indicates the current example would have been attached to the vessel at its rim, a second similar (now missing) lug enabling it to be suspended from a chain and presumably over a fire (Egan, 1998: p. 179, fig. 146). It is of probable later Medieval date, c.14th-15th centuries AD.