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JEWELLERY FITTING
Unique ID: DOR-1C9061
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Published 
A fragment of an item of jewellery of composite construction. It comprises an irregularly shaped pale gold collet containing a dark blue cabochon stone. Around the stone is a frame of pale gold sheet metal set into a hollow dished "bezel", itself filled with a dark substance (?niello), all surrounded by a beaded border. The rear of this has a bevelled edge and a central raised pellet. Projecting from two opposites sides of this element are thin, flat "arms", possibly the remnants of the frame of a brooch.
Dimensions: 10.78 mm x 6.90 mm x 3.81 mm Weight: 0.31 g
Date: Post Medieval - c. 1600 - 1700
Discussion: Similar sized fragments from Medieval brooches have been recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme; see for instance 2017 T152 (GLO-A0B258) and 2017 T953 (NMS-C30D55). This piece however appears more recent in date, though no direct parallel can be traced.
Notes:
On balance of probability, this find is over 300 years old and composed of more than 10% precious metal, and therefore should be considered Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996.
Author: Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen (Finds Liaison Officer-Dorset)
Ian Richardson (Treasure Registrar, British Museum)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2016T385
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 10.78 mm
Width: 6.9 mm
Thickness: 3.81 mm
Weight: 0.31 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2016T385
Materials and construction
Primary material: Gold
Secondary material: Gem
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Dorset (County)
District: North Dorset (District)
To be known as: Tarrant Crawford
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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