VESSEL

A cast complete although heavily worn high lead/tin copper-alloy zoomorphic probable vessel element of medieval date, possibly circa 15th century.

Description: The object takes the form of a large bird shown perched with its wings swept back and 'in display'. The birds head is small and appears to be facing down to attach its' breast. There is hatched detail on the back and sides of the body and long etched details on the wings and tail likely denoting various feathers. There may be some details of the eyes and beak although they are heavily worn. The head's position with a long neck creates a loop with bevelling on each side, it a suspension loop of some description but it is unclear. The front of the bird's body and the tail are undecorated although there is moulded bulge at the bottom of the body which may have intended to be feet. The body has a dished hole in its breast for the attachment of a now missing element, probably a handle. The entire object is a dark grey colour.

Measurements: Height: 74.01mm, Width: 48.19mm, Thickness: 22.72mm and Weight: 194.93g

Description: The bird's long neck and position of the head digging apparently digging into the chest would suggest the bird is in fact a pelican, a common medieval motif wherein the pelican is shown digging its' beak into its own chest to spray blood across its chicks.

The object's identity itself is uncertain however the shape at the bottom of the mount around the bird's feet, position of the tail and the position and shape of the hole in chest is almost identicial to copper-alloy figurative decorative handle mounts and spouts for vessels known as lavers produced predominantly in the 15th century (although perhaps as early as the late 14th) in North-East France and Belgium (Flanders). A similar identification and date is therefore suggested, although investigations are continuing.