Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
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Unique ID: IOW-58D25D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a Medieval to post-Medieval copper-alloy purse bar (c. 1450-c. 1550).
This purse bar is incomplete as the arms are missing due to breaks.
The central block measures: 15.0mm in width; 8.9mm in depth and 6.2mm in width. It has a vertical hole to accommodate the shank of the suspension loop. This hole enables the suspension loop of the purse to rotate. The loop measures 29.4mm in height, 16.0mm in width and 5.2mm in thickness. The loop is oval in plan and is convex on the inner and outer faces. Between the central block and the loop there is a collar integral with the loop. At the opposite end of the shank there is a separate copper-alloy cylindrical rove secured by the burred-over shaft end. The breaks at each side of the central block indicate that the arms were oval in cross-section.
Height: 45.8mm; width of loop: 16.0mm; thickness of central block: 8.9mm; diameter of rove: 7.8mm. Weight: 12.45g.
This purse bar has a green patina and the breaks are old and abraded.
Similar purse bars have been discussed by Ward Perkins in the Museum of London Medieval Catalogue. This example is probably that of a Type B, with short arms for suspension of the cloth purse.
Ward-Perkins, J.B. 1940. London Museum Medieval Catalogue. London: HMSO.
Class:
bar and loop
Sub class: Ward Perkins type B1
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1450
Date to: Circa AD 1550
Quantity: 1
Height: 45.8 mm
Width: 16 mm
Thickness: 8.9 mm
Weight: 12.45 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 18th February 2018 - Sunday 18th February 2018
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Other reference: IOW2018-7-50
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
London Museum | 1940 | London Museum Medieval Catalogue | London | HMSO |