POST MEDIEVAL UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

1700

A fragment of a flat, cast copper alloy artefact, purpose currently unknown. The upper surface is decorated with a shallowly inscribed interlace design, the spaces of which are filled with fine lines in a cross-hatched pattern. There is one original edge which is straight and slightly chamfered. The edges on either side of these appear to have originally been asymetrically curved, though here is little of the original egde remaining. The design has a central lozenge shape with concave sides, extending into elongated points. The lozenge is filled with widely spaced cross hatching. The lozenge is inside a circle. The circle has a double border or raised plain lines, between which are diagonal lines making a ropework effect. The rest of the circle is filled with curved cross hatched lies, more closely spaced. Beyond the circle is a border of three strand interlace forming a wreath round the circle. The interlace is on a background of transverse lines. There is a curved plain border on the very outside. The lower surface is undecorated. It has a dark brown patina. Although the elements of the design have an Early Medieval inspiration, the execution does not seem to be of that period. The engraving is too shallow, and the cross hatching background seems too closely spaced and busy for an Anglo-Saxon artefact. A post medieval to modern date seem more likely. There is no evidecne of attachment on the thick piece of copper alloy.