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PIPE TAMPER
Unique ID: LVPL-A6DB76
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy pipe tamper, of Post Medieval dating (Late 17th Century AD).
The stem of the object is missing while the decorative terminal remains. The terminal is in the form of the bust of the monarch, wearing a crown and facing forwards. The crown is double arched. The bust has long wavy shoulder length hair. The face has prominent eyebrows, sub circular eyes, a triangular nose, a wide moustache and possibly a short beard on his chin. Clothing wise, he is wearing a doublet or jerkin with prominent shoulders, with a high sided cravat or collar around his neck. A chain or collar of office present, sat on his shoulders. At the top of the chest is an irregular perforation. It is unclear whether this is intentional or damage. The rear of the object is flat and undecorated.
The object has a reddish brown patina with patches of silvering or tinning in places. A complete example which has been recorded on the PAS database is WMID-5E97D1, https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/602352.
From the hairstyle and clothing, it is reasonable to assume that the pipe tamper portrays King Charles I (AD 1625 to AD 1643). Finds of Royalist memorabilia are relatively common, the most common being the cufflinks depicting two hearts, meant to signify the marriage of King Charles II to Catherine of Braganza in AD 1662.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1625
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 52 mm
Width: 27 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 9.9 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st December 2016 - Friday 30th December 2016
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: White metal coated
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
District: Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Pontefract
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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