UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A small fragment of sheet white metal. This fragment weighs 0.23g and has a thickness of c.0.4mm. The fragment is roughly sub-rectangular in shape measuring a maximum 10.2mm x 7.3mm. The sheet undulates, possibly partially due to damage however close inspection reveals that a repoussé design (probably made by raising the metal from the reverse using a punch) is present and this accounts for some if not all of the undulating profile. The design seems to include a human arm bent at the elbow so that the fore arm rests alongside the upperarm. A hand is visible to the side of the shoulder. A slightly irregular dot, formed by a thin line depressed annulet, seems to be present at the palm of the hand. If the dot on the hand is there by design, rather than fortuitously, it suggests religious links to the Christian faith - possibly a depiction of Christ or Saint Francis. Saint Francis is normally depicted with a lamb and lily, emblems of meekness and purity, and the stigmata (five wounds of the Christ crucified). Francis died in AD1226 and was canonised in 1228. If this repoussé mark does represent Saint Fransis then this fragment can be dated to post AD1228. Another mark is present on the other side of the forearm and hand, this may be part of another arm but that is uncertain. If it is another upper arm it is unclear whether it belonged to the same individual as the first bent arm and hand or another person.

Compare with CAM-8122E4. Also see NARC-47B3C1.