DRESS FASTENER (DRESS)

Treasure case 2016 T1061: Disclaimed, returned to finder.

Description: A fragment of a probably Post Medieval dress accessory of uncertain form, made of silver wire. The fragment consists of a triangular piece, broken and distorted along one edge but seemingly complete on the other two sides. The back of the object is made of silver wire laid in a grid, with interwoven strands like a net. The complete edge is formed from a V-shaped piece of plain silver wire soldered onto the front of the mesh or net, with a line of twisted wire outside this. Filling most of the centre of the V on the front are seven rings of spiral-wound (or 'cannetille') wire, each holding a central pellet. It is unclear if these covered the whole surface, or formed a V shape around the edge.

The form of the rest of the object is unclear.

Dimensions: The fragment is 12.1mm long by 9.9mm wide and up to 2.2mm thick ignoring the curve; it weighs 0.47g.

Discussion: This is an unusual piece without exact parallels in the usual sources. The wires which hold the pellets create a decorative effect seen on some dress accessories from the 17^th century, for example a silver button from the Storrington area, West Sussex (2010 T370; SUSS-23DFD4), other silver buttons recorded at NMS-817053 and HESH-AAF665, and on whistles such as SOM-B8F871.

The fitting appears to consist of over 10% precious metal and on balance of probability is more than 300 years old, so constitutes Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996.

Laura Burnett

Finds Liaison Officer for Somerset

July 2017