HOOKED TAG

A near-complete cast copper-alloy dress fitting (hooked tag) of early post-medieval date, c. AD 1500-1600. The object consists of a relief-decorated flat piece of copper alloy with a backward-facing curved D-section hook, the tip of which is now missing.

A trapezoidal loop is located at the opposite end (the top) of the tag. Below this, the body of the fastener (the plate) is broadly circular. The decoration consists of a central relief fleur-de-lis inside a ridged circle, within a border of seven pointed-oval depressions, two of which on either side are perforated. It is unclear whether the intention was to have openwork decoration here, with three indentations being unintentionally blocked, or whether the four holes have been worn through. There are triangular spaces between the central circle and the ovals, and pellets alternating with the outer edge of the ovals to form a circular outline. 

This hooked tag is of Read's Class E Type 3. Bailey illustrates a dress hook with a similar fleur pattern (2004, 98, nos. 363-364) and dates it to the 16th century. Bailey also illustrates how the fastener would have been used as part of a hasp and clasp fastener (2004, fig 2.44). The pierced lobes from this example were used to sew the set to a garment, possibly a cloak. There are similar examples on the database (BH-59537A) discovered in Oxfordshire and (SWYOR-FEA025) discovered in Yorkshire.