Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
BOOK FITTING
Unique ID: SOM-0ADED8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A bent hook-piece from a copper-alloy post-medieval book-clasp. It is sub-rectangular in shape, with a flared attachment end; the other end is squared off with a central rectangular curved hook. The main body of the clasp is 14.2mm in width, flaring to a maximum of 16.3mm at the attachment end.
At the flared end is a single central rivet hole; the iron rivet is corroded in place. On the upper surface there is a zone of decoration below the hook, covering around a third of the clasp. A stamped sunburst or flower sits within an elaborate quatrefoil border in this zone. The whole is bordered above and below by two slightly engrailed lines internally with a row of pellets beyond these.
The clasp has been bent in profile, through almost ninety degrees, and also twisted following old damage. Longitudinal file marks on the lower surface in the half towards the hook end were probably made during production. This artefact has corroded to a red-brown colour. The size and decoration of this clasp suggests a date in the 17th or 18th century.
Class:
clasp
Sub class: hook-piece
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1750
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 45.7 mm
Width: 16.3 mm
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: 4.3 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st August 2013 - Monday 13th January 2014
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC receipt 22424
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Taunton Deane (District)
Parish or ward: Kingston St. Mary (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST2028
Four figure Latitude: 51.04575901
Four figure longitude: -3.14257596
1:25K map: ST2028
1:10K map: ST22NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SOM-339F83
Object type: BOOK FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A bent hook-piece from a copper-alloy post-medieval book-clasp. It is sub-rectangular in shape, with a slightly flared attachment end; the ot…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: HAMP-1960B2
Object type: BOOK FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A corroded and damaged hook-piece from a copper-alloy post-medieval book-clasp. The attachment end has been bent through ninety degrees at ap…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SUSS-490222
Object type: BOOK FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A largely complete hook-piece from a copper alloy Post Medieval book-clasp. It is sub-rectangular in shape, with a flared attachment end. At …
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