UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A copper alloy circular unidentified object decorated with "Stuart Enamels" and dating from the 17th century. The object is a convex circular disc with the convex outer face decorated with enamle, and the hollow reverse undecorated. There is a thickened area on the reverse at the edge, from which projects to the side a worn and corroded triangle of metal, probably once a suspension loop or hinge. Oddly, this projection does not line up with the cross in the design. The enamelling consists of a cross crosslet in white enamel with each quarter being filled with alternate blue and turquoise enamel. A reserved space in the cente of each quarter leaves an inward pointing fleur de lis unenamelled. It is uncertain what filled the spaces between the cross and the blue enamels, if anything. The object is perhaps a harness pendant or lid from a small vessel such as an inkwell. It is 52.3mm long, 45.2mm wide and 5.4mm thick. 17.4g.

Record SOM-BB0BB4 notes that according to Geoff Egan, the manufacturers of this sort of material also produced enamelled buckle, buttons, stirrups and ornate candlesticks. This material was being made at the time of the Commonwealth and later (if not slightly earlier as well). The range was formerly known as 'Surrey enamels' from a mistaken attribution to a foundry there, but it has recently come to light that known makers in London were responsible. See C. Blair, 'Surrey' enamels reattributed' in the Journal of the Antique Metalware Society, vol. 13, 2005, (part 1) pp. 2-9; vol. 14 (part 2 with A. Patterson), pp. 10-21.

HESH-F9BBC9 adds that other objects with this style of decoration include buttons recorded on the PAS with a wide range of designs including zoomorphic (e.g. BH-DEE512) and, most commonly, flower designs (e.g. CORN-87AA74). Read (2010: 53-6) illustrates a range of similar buttons.