DRESS HOOK

An incomplete early Post-Medieval Class E, Type 3 circular single sharp-hooked dress hook.

This incomplete artefact weighs 2.56g and consists of a circular body and rectangular attachment loop. The hook is missing. The circular body has a diameter of 14.8mm width and 1.7mm thickness. The front of the body is decorated with a six petalled rose, pellet at centre, within a circle of six figure-of-eight petals and linear external border. The area surrounding the twelve petals and pellet is recessed and now partially filled with dried mud.

The integral loop is rectangular in shape rising to a height of 4.5mm above the very top of the body. The horizontal bar of the loop has a maximum width of 2.8mm and thickness of 1.5mm. The artefact has a slightly trapezoidal cross-section the reverse being just a fraction larger than the front surface, the edges having a bevelled diagonal angle rather than being set at 90 degrees. A subtle concave dip is present on the external edge of the horizontal bar. This is likely to be the result of wear during use.

The reverse surface is flat and undecorated. However, on the reverse surface opposite the attachment loop the thickness of the body increases to 2.6mm. This area is sub-rectangular, with a width of c.3.7mm and extends from the edge of the body in towards the centre for c.5.4mm. This bulge appears to be integral rather than applied. The hook has broken off close to the edge of the body. Traces of iron staining are present on both sides of the body in this area and at the break. Close inspection of the break shows the remains of a, probably, sub-square cross-section of iron. Use of a magnet produces a strong magnetic pull.

The artefact has an incomplete length of 20.5mm.

Discussion: It is uncertain whether the hook was originally designed as a separate component which fitted securely into a socket formed at the base of the body, the expansion on the reverse surface present in order to accommodate the socket. Alternatively an original integral hook may have broken off and an iron replacement hook was attached to the back of the body with an additional blob of copper-alloy. Although uncertain the first suggestion seems to have a little more weight given close study of the object.