Rights Holder: Buckinghamshire County Museum
CC License:
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Unique ID: BUC-89F4B0
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A slightly bent 16th-17th century gold toothpick/earscoop. The pick would probably have been sickle-shaped. It emerged from the body of a stylised dragon, shaped to serve as a handle. Each side of the body is marked with incised lines that represent scales. A small spoon-shaped earscoop emerges from the dragon's mouth, as if to form the dragon's tongue with the bowl facing downwards. Mid-way along the upper side of the dragon's body there is an integral suspension loop. The loop retains a free-running gold wire ring.
A similar toothpick/earscoop from Brighstone, Isle of Wight IOW-2AE147 , was reported through the Treasure Act (Treasure Act Annual Report 2009, xxxvii; ref. 2009T274). See also HAMP-BD2CF4 & DENO-E6E8D8
In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Treasure case tracking number: 2015T95
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Quantity: 1
Length: 38.75 mm
Width: 3.62 mm
Thickness: 2.18 mm
Weight: 4.72 g
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 2nd February 2015
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Treasure case number: 2015T95
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.