VOTIVE MODEL

A copper alloy miniture wheel, possibly a votive model dating from the Late Bronze Age to Early Roman period, but it could also be a Post Medieval pastry jigger or component from a Post Medieval to Modern toy.

The object is an openwork circular disc with four spokes and a central lozenge shaped hub, perforated by a sub-square hole. The hub and spokes are square in cross-section. The spokes narrower in the middle and flare towards the ends in plan. The rim of the "wheel" is wider than the spokes, and is bevelled on both faces, so the outer edge is pointed, making a triangle in cross-section, with a square inner edge. The thin edge to the wheel differs from other votive models recorded on the PAS database, and perhaps suggests the wheel is a cutting tool.

The metal has a brassy colour with patches of a dark green to black patina. On one face are four indentations, one on the inner end of each spoke round the central perforation. These are not seen on any parallels on the PAS database. The wheel is 23.7mm diameter, 2.1mm thick and 2.44g.

The object is the same size and has the same shape as other Votive Models recorded on the PAS database such as KENT-70F063, KENT-9348EE and DOR-638AE5. However, the metal is not typical for a Prehistoric date, and the thin edge to the wheel is different.

The artefact is slightly smaller than some pastry jiggers such as LVPL-436C8D and YORYM-0D2EA5, and does not have a serrated edge to the wheel. However, the worn example WMID-851453 is very similar. The item could also be part of a Post Medieval to Modern toy or mechanical object.

Overall, a Post Medieval date for this item seems more likely than a prehistoric one.