MEDIEVAL VESSEL

1066

An incomplete cast copper alloy miniature two-handled vessel or flask of Medieval date (c. AD 1066 – c. AD 1300). Length: 46.3mm; maximum diameter: 39.0mm; weight: 39.61g.The flask has an elongated neck, oval in cross-section, flaring towards a rounded base. Part of the base and side are missing due to post-depositional break. The neck flares slightly towards the plain rim which is sub-oval in cross-section and measures 21.2mm x 15.3mm. At each shorter side of the rim there is a small handle in the form of a perforated lug which is flat and semi-circular in shape. The circular perforations in the lugs have a diameter of 2.5mm.The inner and outer surfaces have a mid-green patina interspersed with small areas of corrosion. This vessel was clearly utilised to contain a small quantity of liquid and it has been speculated that they may have been mercury flasks. However, one example found in Surrey (SUR-FA2AB0) carries the inscription OLEVM CHRISM and therefore presumably carried holy water or oils. This example is Medieval in date, with parallels suggesting a possible date range of the 11th to 13th centuries AD.Similar small bulbous flasks with handles have been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see finds: SUR-FA2AB0, SF4470, SF10638, LVPL-5646E7, LVPL-EC3F40, LANCUM-6DA432 and SOMDOR-446A83.