Record ID: NMS-BC99D4
Object type: BROOCH
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval silver annular brooch. The frame is flat on the reverse and convex on the upper face, in the form of a two snakes, the smaller snake wrapped around one half of the larger, the separate heads and a fragment of wire forming the tip of a tail soldered onto the frame so there is a head at either end of the pin when the brooch is closed. The sheet pin has a double rib before the loop. The half of the frame formed by the body of the larger snake is decorated with a zigzag triple rib with crosshatching in the resulting triangular fields to either side. The other half of the frame has…
Created on: Monday 11th April 2016
Last updated: Sunday 17th September 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-049B31
Object type: MOUNT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Silver grosso of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), Rome, 1492-1503, adapted by the cutting out of a disc from the centre of the coin. The reason for this is uncertain; annular brooches are known which have been similarly treated but they are generally over two centuries earlier in date and have a hole drilled in the perimeter to accommodate a pin. The fashion for making annular brooches out of coins seems to have died out long before the last decade of the 15th century when this grosso was struck. It is probable that another function was intended for this large silver washer but wha…
Created on: Wednesday 9th March 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 9th July 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-EDAEB2
Object type: DRESS FASTENER (DRESS)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
SF4. Context 1046. Silver-gilt dress fastener. Length 13mm. Width 8mm. Weight 0.6g. Dress fastener consisting of a single piece of circular sectioned wire formed into a spiral 'figure of eight' which would have been sewn onto a garment, ending in a hook with a rounded end. The hook is applied to an incomplete decorative plate, upon which there is partly visible some filigree work. This type of dress hook is classified as a Read (2008) Class B Type 2, 3 or 4 (unknown which type as plate is incomplete; nos. 597-605). Early post-medieval. Read, B. 2008. Hooked-Cl…
Created on: Tuesday 8th March 2016
Last updated: Thursday 17th December 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-6FA0F0
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval silver finger ring. The rectangular-sectioned band is inscribed externally in black letter with the names of the three kings or magi, + caspar x melchiar x baltasar. The inscription starts with a cross-corsslets and each word is separated by a small x. Black letter was used to inscribe rings from the mid 14th to 16th century (Oman, 1974, 5). For a similar but fragmentary ring see NMS-EDFA64. The names of the three kings were a popular as amuletic charms in the later medieval period. Probably 14th - 15th century. External diameter 19mm. Internal diameter 17mm. Width of band…
Created on: Wednesday 2nd March 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 6th June 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-55F880
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Post-medieval silver button. Solid circular head, convex on the upper face, flat on the reverse with a separate soldered wire loop. No decoration survives but the upper face appears to be heavily worn. Diameter 14mm. Height 8mm. Weight 3.1g. Probably 17th - 18th century.
Created on: Tuesday 1st March 2016
Last updated: Monday 25th April 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-245AD1
Object type: COCKSPUR
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval or post-medieval silver cock-spur. Circular ring, broken across three of four attachment holes in the incomplete flanged edge, with an integral prick extending from the opposite edge. Stamped externally with a probable maker's mark in the form of a 5 with an elongated top bar crossed by two short lines. Diameter of base (reconstructed) 12mm. Length 19mm. Weight 2.0g. For a similar example see WAW-7144B1. Perhaps 1400 - 1700.
Created on: Friday 22nd January 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 6th June 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-236202
Object type: VERVEL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Post-medieval silver hawking vervel. D-sectioned band, the convex face inwards, engraved externally BILNGFORD IN NOR presumably for Billingford. There is a faint transverse line between the G and E indicating the join in the ring, and the remains of a very worn and now indecipherable mark between the R and B, perhaps a maker's mark. External diameter 11mm. Internal diameter 9mm. Width of band 2.5mm. Weight 0.57g. Circa 17th century. Discussion: Vervels were fixed to the leather jesses on the feet of birds of prey and may have served as points of attachment for the leash. They often…
Created on: Friday 22nd January 2016
Last updated: Friday 16th March 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-20EA22
Object type: BROOCH
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Brooch manufactured by the addition of a copper-alloy backplate and pin to a silver penny of William I. The front of the brooch (the reverse of the coin) has been gilded, and the backplate and pin mechanism is attached centrally by means of a silver rivet. The backplate is poorly preserved and incomplete, but appears to have consisted of a 4-5mm wide strip, perhaps with the edges bent up (the photograph does not include a side view and the details of the pin fixings were not noted at the time of recording). The pin has a closed loop through which a pin bar with burred-over ends surviv…
Created on: Friday 22nd January 2016
Last updated: Monday 27th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-3DB5C1
Object type: BODKIN
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Post-medieval silver headdress pin fragment of the bodkin type. Only the upper end survives. Rectangular-sectioned with a small knop at the terminal above a circular aperture, broken across a rectangular slot. The engraved decoration within a single line border following the edge is alike on both faces and consists of (from the top down) a line around the circular aperture forming a point-down teardrop, eight dots arranged in two vertical lines of four, a point-up single line chevron, groups of three angled lines either side of the rectangular slot. Surviving length 25mm. Width 4.5mm.…
Created on: Monday 11th January 2016
Last updated: Thursday 9th June 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-953302
Object type: SPOON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fragment of medieval or post-medieval silver spoon. Incomplete handle of slightly flattened hexagonal section with very short triangular moulding on the reverse of the bowl. The surviving shoulders of the bowl are fairly straight and at a narrow angle of slightly less than 90 degrees to each other but not enough survives to suggest a bowl shape. There is a stamped G in low relief on the inside of the bowl at the base of the stem, to be read stem-down. The surface is pitted with beading suggesting it has been partially molten at some point, and has been distorted. Maximum surviving wid…
Created on: Tuesday 22nd December 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 6th June 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-0085D1
Object type: HOOKED TAG
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Probably Late Saxon silver hooked tag of Lewis and Naylor (2013) type A1.c.iii. (circular plate, linear cruciform decoration). Circular plate with two attachment holes at the upper edge, engraved with a single line border around the edge from which four evenly spaced engraved H-shapes extend, the inner arms splayed towards each other but not joined, to form the arms of a cross around a central irregular reverse S. No trace of niello survives in the engraved lines. There is a short complete or near complete integral sharp hook extending from the lower edge. Length 21mm. Width 13mm. Wei…
Created on: Tuesday 15th December 2015
Last updated: Thursday 2nd July 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Binham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NMS-F14384
Object type: CUFF LINK
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Post-medieval silver cuff-link. Two composite hollow silver buttons, domed, flat-backed, with two holes in the reverse and a soldered drawn wire loop. The loops of the buttons are connected by an oval loop of drawn wire with a butt joint. Both buttons are decorated with engraved radiating curved lines the gaps between which are alternately plain or filled with closely spaced transverse lines. Diameter 11mm. Height (excluding loop) 6mm. Height (including loop) 10mm. Connecting loop 11.5 x 6.5mm. Weight 2.1g. Circa 17th century.
Created on: Wednesday 2nd December 2015
Last updated: Thursday 23rd June 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-DA7C1E
Object type: BUCKLE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early Saxon silver, gilded buckle pin. D-sectioned pin, recessed on the underside for the (missing) frame, the broken loop emerging from the mouth of a stylised animal head with small round ears, shallow brow ridge, dots for eyes and a slightly up-turned snout. The loop is rectangular-sectioned, curved internally, and flattened on the base externally before the break. Only the animal head has been gilded. Length 23mm. Thickness 4mm. Weight 3.1g. No very close parallel has been found. Circa 550 - 700 (Andrew Rogerson pers. com.).
Created on: Tuesday 1st December 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 15th March 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Barnham Broom', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NMS-D7BDE1
Object type: JEWELLERY
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval or post-medieval fragment of jewellery. Silver, gilded heart-shaped flange forming a setting for a heart-shaped rock crystal cabochon with a groove cut to form the cleft of the heart. The flange is engraved with a single line following the outer edge, within which is an inscription mery + be interspersed with simplified foliate sprigs. The collet and back-plate which form the setting for the crystal project above the flange on the reverse, with a tapering transverse scar in the gilding from a missing soldered element, perhaps a hook. The edges of the collet around the back-pl…
Created on: Tuesday 1st December 2015
Last updated: Monday 31st October 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-C9FCD1
Object type: COIN HOARD
Broad period: IRON AGE
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Three Iron Age silver units, fused together. Only two faces are visible, one of each coin at the two ends of the pile. One is the obverse of an Icenian Pattern-Horse type, the other the reverse of an ECEN Pattern-Horse type. Given that they are fused together it is certain that these coins were concealed together and thus represent a hoard. The date of deposition of this hoard could lie at any time between the very late 1st century BC and the period of the Boudiccan revolt or even a little later.
Created on: Wednesday 18th November 2015
Last updated: Monday 12th December 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'West Norfolk', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NMS-C5E6AD
Object type: KNIFE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval or post-medieval silver socketed terminal probably from a handle. D-sectioned socket formed from sheet metal with three straight and one narrow curved side, with a transverse silver rivet just within the open end. The socket expands very slightly to a flat, triangular terminal plate which extends beyond the sides of the socket to form a flange, the point of the triangle bent and broken, perhaps originally forming a loop or hook. In the centre of the terminal plate is a patch of solder, probably originally securing a suspension loop. The edge of the socket and the edge of the …
Created on: Wednesday 18th November 2015
Last updated: Wednesday 17th February 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-9F0438
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Description: Unidentified silver frame, perhaps a mount or strap or chain distributor, now distorted. Circular openwork front-plate with a large octofoil aperture, the outer edge with multiple closely spaced notches forming a scalloped edge. A separate sheet soldered to the reverse at right-angles to the front-plate forms sides, with a scalloped rear edge, each foil with two longitudinal grooves, the foils separated by engraved lines. The front-plate is decorated with an engraved line, from which crosshatched triangles extend, point inwards, between each of the openwork foils. A re…
Created on: Monday 16th November 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 23rd February 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-9AE5E7
Object type: MOUNT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Medieval silver mount, now distorted and incomplete, the surviving part in two joining pieces. A conical faceted sexfoil, each foil with a median arris terminating in a short pointed projection at the outer edge, with an engraved line separating each foil, and a central hole in the flat apex of the cone. Height 17mm. Diameter of base (reconstructed) circa 34mm. Weight 3.3g. 13th - 14th century.
Created on: Monday 16th November 2015
Last updated: Thursday 2nd July 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-9A834A
Object type: CUFF LINK
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Post-medieval silver cuff-link. Two octagonal buttons with downturned edges and a separate soldered loop on the reverse, connected by an oval wire loop with but joint. The loop is stamped with a maker's mark which is now too worn to decipher. Each button is decorated with engraved curved lines forming a border around a central flower. Button 14.5 x 14.5mm. Height including loop 6mm. Connecting loop 16.5 x 6.5mm. Weight 2.2g. Circa 18th century.
Created on: Monday 16th November 2015
Last updated: Thursday 2nd July 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-9A3F0A
Object type: EAR SCOOP
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
Medieval or post-medieval silver toilet article. Twisted rectangular-sectioned shaft with a shallow ear-scoop at one end and a flat-sectioned lozengiform terminal forming a toothpick at the other, broken across the tip. The lozengiform terminal is now bent almost parallel with the shaft. Length (unbent) 69mm. Width of scoop 3mm. Maximum width (of lozengiform terminal) 4.5mm. Weight 2.05g. See similar examples from London (Egan and Pritchard, 2002, 378, fig.251, nos.1758 - 1760) and SOM-B38BA2, DENO-FE6EA0, DENO-BBED67 and DENO-9EE9E7.
Created on: Monday 16th November 2015
Last updated: Thursday 2nd July 2020
Spatial data recorded.