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DRESS FASTENER (DRESS)
Unique ID: WMID-8B2C03
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A cast copper alloy Post-Medieval toggle. The double-loops (inner loop diameter: 3.5mm) seem to have been attached and soldered on to either side of the stem (length: 15.5mm; width: 4.5mm). The stem also seems to have been attached on to the ovoid or 'rugby-shaped' tip/ terminal. Overall, the pestle is in a slightly worn but fair condition with a dark green patina. (length: 26mm; width of ovoid tip/ terminal: 20mm; thickness of ovoid tip/ terminal: 6mm; weight: 6.42g).
Ralph Jackson has identified this artefact as a double-looped idiosyncratic version of a centre-looped type of pestle used as part of a two-piece set with cosmetic mortar and pestle.
The usual plain appearance of the pestle has in the past made identification difficult and is possibly the cause of its rare appearance in print. Due to possibly being suspended from the waist, casual or accidental losses must have been a problem (Jackson, 1985, pages 169-172).
Reference: Jackson, R; 'Cosmetic sets from Late Iron Age and Roman Britain', in Britannia, Volume 16, 1985, pages 165-192.
Notes:
These object have previously been recorded on the database, however opinion over their use and date was undecided. Suggestions have included: Iron Age to Roman toggle fastener, post medieval to modern toggle fastener. An agreement is now promoted that objects of this type date to to 17th-19th century and acted as toggles.
Class: toggle
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1600
Date to: AD 1850
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26 mm
Width: 20 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 6.42 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 1st September 2003
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: Lichfield (District)
Parish or ward: Lichfield (Civil Parish)
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, R. | 1985 | Cosmetic sets from late Iron Age and Roman Britain | London | Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies | pages 165-192 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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