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PURSE
Unique ID: BUC-B4CAA2
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete late medieval copper alloy purse bar (c.1450-1500), consisting of the two side bars and the central sub rectangular block. The arms are circular in cross section. Either side of the central block is moulded decoration, which possibly would have been a zoomorphic animal-head grasping the arm in its mouth. It is rectangular shaped, with a triangular projection.
On the underneath of both arms are an integral plate, with two circular attachment or sewing holes. On one side these are worn and broken. Above this the arms are decorated with incised cross hatching. On the terminal end of one of the arms is a rove which would have held the missing purse frame in place, In the centre of the rove is a large integral rivet. At the opposite end of the arm this is now missing.
The central block has a large circular hole measuring 5.9mm in diameter where the suspension loop would have attached. The block is decorated with an incised double lined X across.
The purse bar is 155mm in length, 12.3mm in width, and weighs 50g. The bar has a dark green patina with light green patches.
The purse bar is similar to Read 2001, p 130, no 905.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1450
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 155 mm
Width: 12.3 mm
Weight: 50 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 6th May 2019
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: AYBCM 4994
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Buckinghamshire (County)
District: Aylesbury Vale (District)
Parish or ward: Quainton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SP7120
Four figure Latitude: 51.87406119
Four figure longitude: -0.9700912
1:25K map: SP7120
1:10K map: SP72SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read, B. | 2016 | Identifying Metal Artefacts Volume 1 | Witham | Greenlight | p 130, | no 905. |
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Timeline of associated dates
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