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MIRROR CASE
Unique ID: BERK-FDC4A6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete Medieval cast copper alloy mirror case dating to c. 1270 - c. 1350 AD. The object is circular in plan comprising two hinged convex discs. Both discs have two parallel lugs at one end and one centred lug at the other. One of the pierced lugs on the lower disc is slightly worn and incomplete. The parallel lugs on the upper disc are pierced and has a rivet going through both holes and the lug from the lower disc. This is where the case is hinged. At the other end of the upper disc the single projecting lug is placed between the two pierced lugs of the lower disc which holds the device closed. The case is highly worn but the upper disc has very faint remains of parallel punched lines in the form of an arc on the bottom left and right side. It has a dark green patina with lighter green worn patches.
The mirror case is 41.9mm in length, 30.4mm in width, 7.3mm in thickness, and weighs 11.44g
Similar mirror cases with this form of decoration can be seen in Egan and Pritchard 2002, page 362, fig.241, nos.1714 - 1716, which are from a context with a ceramic phase dated from c.1270- c. 1350. Other similar cases can also be seen on the PAS database which include DENO-018874, YORYM-CF9235, WILT-55FE63.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1270
Date to: Circa AD 1350
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 41.9 mm
Width: 30.4 mm
Thickness: 7.3 mm
Weight: 11.44 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: 0030
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Decoration style: Linear
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Incised or engraved or chased
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Berkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: West Berkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Hermitage (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU5272
Four figure Latitude: 51.44461108
Four figure longitude: -1.25317194
1:25K map: SU5272
1:10K map: SU57SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. | 2002 | Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (2002) | London | HMSO | Page 362 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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