DIADEM

The artefact is broken or torn into two pieces, one more substantial than the other (see below) .The two pieces appear to have formed a long, slender, rectangular sheet of gold with tapering ends. The colour of the gold is mid yellow. Both terminals gradually taper to a blunt point and have three small circular perforations which have been punched through from the outer face. On the reverse, the edges of the perforations have a slight burr which are splayed away from the perforation, but not flattened. The edge of the sheet is decorated with a border of fine, rounded pointille decoration at slightly irregular intervals, but occur around all the edges. A faint line can be detected in several areas (c.1.5 - 2mm from the edge of the sheet) and may have acted as a guideline for either cutting the sheet to size or (less likely) the pointille decoration rather than being a decorative feature in its own right (see technical observations from H. White, below). The perforations on both pieces and the pointille decoration have been applied to the same surface (i.e. in the same decoration).Overall the strip has been crumpled and has slight transverse creases, but when found the artefact was not folded.

Technical observations (Dr. H. White, Dept of Scientific Research, British Museum): The line that runs mostly parallel to the edges is discontinuous. It was made by scoring the sheet from the back with a sharp pointed tool, in contrast to the pointillé decoration which was impressed with a blunted tool. It was scored into the gold prior to the application of the pointillé decoration as evidenced by the lack of deformation to the embossed dots where it passes over their centre. In the area close to the terminal of the larger fragment it occurs in between the edge of the sheet and the row of dots on the upper edge, but falls further in on the lower edge. It is not as carefully executed as the pointillé decoration. It is suggested that, rather than being part of the decoration in its own right or a guideline for the pointillé decoration, the line could be a rough guideline for cutting the strip to shape. Figures illustrating these points are held on file (see appended file).

The broken/torn edges and surfaces of the strips were examined by optical microscopy. Surface features noted on the larger piece appear to continue uninterrupted on the smaller piece. This indicates they are two joining pieces and that there are no missing sections of strip.

Dimensions: First artefact followed by the second in brackets.

Length: 152.77mm (80.46mm)

Width: 17.15mm (14.74mm)

Thickness: 0.44mm (0.39)

Weight: 5.19g (2.43g.) - combined weight of the two fragments is 7.61 grams

Metal Composition (Dr. H. White, Dept of Scientific Research, British Museum): Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of two fragments of a sheet metal strip from Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, indicated a surface composition of approximately 92-94% gold, 5-7% silver, and 0.5 to 1% copper.

Identification/Discussion: The function or what object this mount decorated is not certain but it have been used as a diadem or neck choker/band, or perhaps fixed to a leather item. A similar object was reported as Treasure in 2005, case number 2005T21 (from 'near Winchester' - the provenance is vague - acquired by the British Museum: 2008, 8019.1) (Needham & Sheridan 2014, 908-9). Although it is smaller (in length and width) and undecorated, the 'near Winchester' find also has three perforations set within the terminals in a similar fashion to the band from Startford-Upon-Avon. Another close example on the PAS database (BERK-BA8440) which has tentatively been described as a form of jewellery, although it is acknowledged that these objects are not yet fully understood.

2005T21 is the closest parallel to the Warwickshire example, but others include a gold strip from Co Cavan, Ireland which has rounded terminals (Taylor 1980, pl. 28 g,h, and i), but this example is decorated with insiced lines and dots.