UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A twisted strip of silver, the remaining fragment of an unknown artefact type. This fragment weighs 0.99g and has a length of 25.0mm. The strip has a square cross-section measuring 2.5mm x 2.5mm. The act of twisting the strip has created a decorative barley-twist effect due to the spiralling corners of the square shaft. The strip is curved, the bend almost but not consistently curved along the length, which reduces the curved bend (length between the two ends of the fragment) to 22.3mm. The arc of the bend has a maximum depth of 6.6mm. It is not certain whether this bend is part of the original design and possibly functional to the artefact or alternatively the result of later damage. Both ends of the fragment appear to be breaks, one more worn than the other.

Compare with: SUR-E30294 a probable bracelet of unknown date, LANCUM-EFE01C a bracelet of uncertain date, CAM-2EA4D7 a Medieval toilet article, WMID-FE7F7D an incomplete bodkin dating to c. AD 1600-1700, HAMP-58A472 dated to AD 1500-1600, WAW-C297C9 an ear scoop dating to the Medieval to earlier Post-Medieval period c. AD 1300-1700, CAM-CBF504 & SWYOR-F81F55 both Medieval brooches, SUSS-FBD244 a Post-Medieval spoon dating c. AD 1500-1800, PAS-DDA073 a modern finger-ring with hall-mark.

Discussion:

This could be a fragment from a number of different artefacts that are known to have twisted silver as part or all of their whole. These include brooches, bracelets, finger-rings, spoon handles, bodkins, toilet implements such as ear-scoops and nail-cleaners. There are also other artefacts that have applied twisted silver decoration such as some bells. Broadly this might date from the Roman period through to the Modern. After being reported to Helen Fowler, the strip was assessed by Richard Hobbs at the British Museum. After examination, the strip cannot be securely dated to pre-1718 and therefore does not need to be reported as potential Treasure. It seems more probable to have a Post-Medieval date however, as this fragment lacks any indication of what artefact type it has come from it is not possible to securely date this typologically to more than 300 years old. As such, and as already stated, it falls out side the criteria of treasure under the definitions of the Treasure Act 1996. The finder is advised to keep a copy of proof that this has been assessed.