PLAQUE

A copper alloy plaque or possible brothel token of probable Post-Medieval date, circa AD 1700-1900.

The object is flat and irregular in form. The depiction on the front face is of two figures in an embrace, possibly performing a sexual act.

The scene shows a tree or cave wall emerging from the ground on the right-hand side of the scene. Standing beneath the canopy area, are two figures perhaps a male and female engaged in sexual intercourse as seen on other examples made of lead dating from the period. One figure probably female is against the tree/cave side, and supporting their weight on one leg (her right leg) while the left leg is raised and supported by the cradling arm of the male. Her upper torso is leaning forward, kissing the male and her arms appear to be wrapped around the back of the man. The male stands on both feet, with one leg slightly bent back. The reverse is undecorated and flat. The object is crudely made and the upper section has not been removed after the casting process.

The bawdy or erotic scene depicted can be found on pipe tampers of the period and similar plaques have been recorded on the PAS database althought these are all formed from lead alloy, including SF5096 discovered in Suffolk, SWYOR-A08D04 from Nottinghamshire, LVPL-1533AC discovered in Flintshire, Wales and WMID-EF2E08 discovered in South Staffordshire.

Other parallels have been suggested as depicting the consummation of Aeneas and Dido in the cave during a hunt while caught in a storm. The background scene may be a cave or a forest, the cave being the actual location of the consummation, the forest alluding to the hunt during which the episode took place.

The object measures 43.7 mm in length, 31 mm in width, 4.8 mm thick, 20.1 grams.