KNIFE

A copper alloy knife end cap or pommel of the Post-Medieval period, dating from c. AD 1500 - c. AD 1600.

The object is broadly D shaped in plan and broadly wedge shaped in profile. The end stop has three perforated circular lobes placed horizontally on the upper edge. The central perforation is placed slightly higher than the outer two. The object has a protruding circumferential rib separating the upper and lower portions of the knife cap. The objected then tapers slightly to a lower edge that is broadly rectangular with a transverse slot on the underside.

The object measures 14.6 mm in length and is 17.5 mm wide. It has a maximum thickness of 6.0 mm and weighs 5.4 g.

The object is a mid to dark green in colour with an uneven patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail.

A similar illustrated example can be found in Read (2001:p.88 ref.658). His examples date to the 16th century. There are also other parallels illustrated on the PAS database, record (BH-71E6D4) was discovered in North Hertfordshire and (SWYOR-53E5E1) from North Yorkshire suggested as "stylised fleur-de-lis" (Geake 2001, 75). Other examples have been recorded as WMID-03DB68 and NARC-E4F965.

Ref:

Read, B., (2001) Metal artefacts of antiquity: A catalogue of small finds from specific areas of the United Kingdom. Langport, Portcullis Publishing.