POST MEDIEVAL PRICK SPUR

1600

Post medieval copper alloy prick spur of 17th century dateThe spur is fragmentary, represented by ends of the sides, neck and goad (with a surviving length of 76.9mm and a weight of 41.7g). Both sides have broken at the same point (with a surviving width of 42.5mm), where they appear to have narrowed, beyond decorative side knops (giving a width and thickness of 12.8mm and 3.5mm respectively). The surviving part of the sides is of sub-triangular section, gradually widening towards the crest (where it has a width of 16.0mm). The neck springs from the base and curves upwards before a near-perpendicular turn. The neck is of lozenge section (9.0mm wide and 6.9mm thick). The neck narrows slightly to the goad, with decorative mouldings, placed at the midpoints and junction. The goad has a circular-sectioned collar before four D-shaped protruding lugs (giving a width of 22.7mm); beyond the lugs is a short (6.4mm), square-sectioned point or prick. The surface is corroded with a green-black patina.The spur can be closely paralleled with two unprovenanced examples published by (Ellis. 2002, nos. 27-28) , both with circular lugs; one (ibid, 27) with a similar neck form but with perforated lugs. Ellis states that the form were known as 'Scotch spurs' and can be further paralleled on a portrait of William Style of Langley Beckenham, Kent dated 1636.~~ Ellis, B.M.A., 2002; Prick Spurs 700 - 1700; The Finds Research Group AD700 - 1700; Datasheet 300