MEDIEVAL UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

1200

Copper alloy Unidentified Object. Slightly concavo-convex object of sheet metal with edges cut to form an elongated octagon with a central slit. The slit may have been for attachment. This object is longer than objects identified as polygonal mounts of medieval date.This was initially presented as 'a possible Miniature object'; perhaps a miniature shield, a class of object associated with Romano-British shrines.This initial identification has been warmly disputed and debated in the following terms. Laura Burnett kindly suggests this may rather be a guard from a knife; while Dr Kevin Leahy kindly comments as follows: 'I don't like it as a knife guard...knife guards tend to be fairly well made and this object is asymmetrical. I wonder if it was some sort of washer or patch, [wherein] the slot would accommodate a folded sheet metal rivet?'. Dr Sally Worrell kindly adds: 'I also don't think this is a miniature object and I can't see it as anything Roman. Not very helpful I'm afraid, but also wonder if could be a knife guard. Obvisusly not sheet metal and it's quite a well made object, much more so than a washer or patch would be...'.. The originator of the record can only add that the slot lacks the form which a V-section knife blade would require to pass through the plate, and that its very thin structure would not make of it a happy knife bolster.Suggested date: possibly Medieval, 1200-1500.Length: 20.9mm, Width: 10.8mm, Thickness: 0.5mm, Weight: 0.86gms.