MEDIEVAL TOY

1300

A cast copper-alloy miniature cauldron of Medieval to post-Medieval date. The cauldron has a bulbous body with a flattened underside. The rim is short and angles downwards from the circular opening. Between the upper portion and the body are two rounded lug handles. At this level there is also an irregular hole which appears to be a casting flaw. Protruding from the base is one intact leg and the remnants of two further legs. The intact leg is of triangular section and the pointed foot is separated from the rest of the leg by a transverse ridge. The surfaces are corroded. It measures 33.3mm high, 19.9mm wide and weighs 23.67g.Numerous examples of miniature domestic utensils have been found in London and are discussed by Egan and Forsyth (2005). The London examples of cauldrons (p. 111-115) date from the 14th to 17th centuries. For parallels on the PAS database, see BH-9C97E6 and BH-26CDF5.