KNIFE

Treasure reference number 2018 T1066.

Description: a late medieval or post-medieval silver gilt panel, probably from a locket. The item is sub-rectangular, having two straight long edges, but with sides formed by four crescent sections each terminating with a sharp peak. A narrow rim runs around the underside of the perimeter. A pair of circular holes is located in the rim above and below, roughly central along both long edges. The letters 'T S' are visible in the centre of the lower rim. The face of the object is decorated with an ornately engraved hunting scene. To the left is a hare shown in profile, leaping to the left. The hare looks back over itself and towards a hound which is shown in pursuit. Only the head, forelegs, and neck of the hound are visible. A bird is shown flying off in the upper right corner, as if it has been disturbed from the ground by the hound. In the centre of the scene, in the background, is a large conical plant, mound or tress stump with three pointed oval leaves extending from the top. The mound might be representing foliage, but also could be a rabbit warren. The background is etched with straight lines. The interior of the object is smooth and undecorated.

Dimensions: Length: 19 mm. Width: 11 mm. Thickness: 2 mm. Weight: 0.7 g

Discussion: post-medieval silver lockets with engraved motifs are known from the 17th century, such as that from Hunton, North Yorkshire (YORYM-6AC8CE) and Rolleston, Nottinghamshire (DENO-FA82E5). The form of these lockets are different to the present example, however. An engraved silver plaque depicting a hare sitting under a plant with two large leaves was found near Bognor Regis, West Sussex (SUSS-C84FC4, Treasure case tracking number: 2010 T289). The Bognor Regis example was dated to the 13th or 14th century.

Beverley Nenk (curator of the Medieval collections, British Museum) has suggested that this could be a terminal or an end-cap from a knife handle. A find from Lincolnshire (NLM-D3A281) and a find from Essex (BH-D8ECB6) are the sort of facetted knife handles it might have been made to fit; however, she mentioned that the scalloped edging is unusual. The imagery of the hunt would fit with a knife too. It probably dates to the 15th or early 16th century - if that is a capital T, and the S looks possibly black letter, although it's difficult to be certain. The background was probably originally enamelled.

Conclusions: In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.