VESSEL

A cast copper alloy fragment of a possible vessel, possibly dating from the Iron Age or Early Medieval period. The fragment consists of three pieces of copper-alloy held in place with a large cylindrical-headed rivet with a square reverse. The first segment consists of a cylindrical loop, which is attached to a rectangular segment ending in a flat end with semi-circular aperture, probably a further rivet hole, now incomplete due to old breaks. The interior plate is formed to match the rectangular segment of the outer piece, mentioned above. It is comprised of a single rectangular sheet, also ending in a flat end with semi-circular aperture and aligned with the outer segment; it is fixed into place with the square reverse of the rivet. In between these two elements, an irregularly shaped copper alloy fragment is held in place with the rivet and may be the remains of the vessel wall itself.

It is likely that this item is part of a vessel mount used to suspend an escutchean in a hanging bowl or similar either dating from the Iron Age or Early Medieval periods. The cylindrical loop would have held a suspension ring, now missing, and the further rivet hole would have reinforced the mount onto the vessel. The fragment measures 33.37 mm long, 13.15 mm wide (at suspension loop), 12.24 mm thick (at suspension loop); it weighs 12.73 grams. The fragment components are all of a deep green colour and patina.