POST MEDIEVAL AMULET

1750

White metal strip with geometric designs and Arabic script (including prayers evoking Allah), probably part of a celestial or astrolabe which has been cut into a strip to be used as an amulet. The object may have once been rolled (though evidence for that is unclear), but was found open.The surface was analysed by XRF, which detected circa 73% weight copper, circa 27% weight zinc, as well as less than circa 1% weight silver, suggesting that its core is made of brass with a very thin surface plating layer of silver (i.e. it is not potential Treasure). The relative high amount of zinc in the alloy and the absence of trace elements detectable by XRF may suggest a post-medieval date.The motifs have been achieved by fine etching (rather than by engraving) and this also reinforces the suggestion of a recent date.