VESSEL

An incomplete copper-alloy right-angled drop handle from a vessel, of Medieval dating (c. AD 1270 - c. AD 1350).

Approximately 75% of the handle is present, consisting of one of the animal head terminals, and a vertical and horizontal shaft. The other animal head terminal and a vertical shaft are missing, presumed lost in antiquity.

The horizontal and vertical shafts are rectangular in cross-section (7.5 x 6.2mm). There is an acorn knop at the one surviving corner where the shafts adjoin. At the centre of the horizontal shaft is a swelling, also rectangular in cross-section. This swelling is defined by a circumferential collar at each side (now worn). The surviving vertical shaft would have been at right-angles to the horizontal shaft. However, it is slightly misshapen. One of the ends of the handle is complete and terminates with a heavy separate soldered heavy collar in the form of a crude animal head defined by grooves on each side. This collar is 18.3 mm in length and is oval in cross-section. The distance between the zoomorphic collar and the vertical shaft is 7.6 mm and this part would have accommodated a freely movable attachment loop with projecting shoulders and a riveted end which is burred over slightly.

It measures 85.5 mm in length, 38.9 mm wide and 10.8 mm thick. It weighs 36.4 g.

The handle is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

A very similar handle has been found in archaeological excavations at Victoria Street ("Baynard Castle Dock") in London. This example has been tentatively dated c. 1270 - c. 1350 (Egan 1998: 175, ref: 487). Several similar handles have been recorded on the PAS database, including: IOW-61F305; KENT-C7C015; DENO-478758; IOW-6E4393; DENO-204990 and DENO-F05AE6.