Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
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Unique ID: LVPL-0483C7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A cast copper alloy belt or strap mount dating of Medieval to Post-Medieval date. The object is in the form of a scallop shell, a common sign of pilgrimage during the medieval period. The top of the object is in the form of a fleur-de-lis. The scallop shell was widely associated with pilgrimage and also the cult of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury during the medieval period. The rear of the object has two integral circular-sectioned lugs or studs. The object has a dark green patina and is in good condition.
Similar mounts are illustrated in Egan and Pritchard (Egan and Pritchard 2002 Dress Accessories Boydell Press) No. 1083 which is dated to the latter half of the 15th century. However this example has separate rivets. Similar mounts are also illustrated in Griffiths, D., Philpott, R. And Egan, G (Griffiths, D., Philpott, R. And Egan, G. Meols: The Archaeology of the North Wirral Coast Oxford University School of Archaeology: Monograph 68 Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford.), No. 1140, but this also has a separate rivet and dated to the later Medieval period. Strap fittings with integral mounts are also common in the early Post Medieval period but a comparison for a shell cannot be found presently, therefore it is dated as mid-15th to 16th century being a most likely date.
Dimensions: 15mm in length, 11mm in width, 5mm thick, 1.3g
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Quantity: 1
Length: 15 mm
Width: 11 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 1.3 g
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 21st November 2016 - Monday 21st November 2016
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. | 2002 | Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (2002) | London | HMSO | |||
Griffiths, D., Philpott. R. and Egan, G. | 2007 | Meols: The Archaeology of the North West Wirral Coast | Oxford | Oxford University School of Archaeology |