POST MEDIEVAL PEN

1600

A complete copper alloy possible handle dating from the Post Medieval period (AD 1600 - 1900).The handle is sub triangular in plan and circular in cross section. The top of the handle is wider than the bottom, and has a hole in the centre, it is unclear how far the hole goes down the object. The handle is decorated with a number of sections varying in size, some of these are reel shaped (ie concave in the centre) and some are sub circular, two sections from the top of the handle is a larger section that is decorated with a twist like pattern (resembling twisted rope). The handle tapers to a rounded point at the bottom, the decoration finishing with three horizontal lines just above the point. The handle has sustained some damage, including a crack on one side and what appears to be some corrosion in a circular shape.The handle measures 77.96 mm in length, the top of the handle has a width of 7.7 mm, and the point has a width of 5.13 mm, the handle has a thickness (measured from the top on one side of the hole) of 2.3 mm. The diameter of the hole at the top is 3 mm and it has a depth of 1.8 mm although it could have gone deeper. The handle weighs 14.9 grams.The handle is a mid green in colour and has an even surface patina. Abrasion whilst within the plough soil has resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail.The possible uses for this object include a handle for dividers, for use with a compass when drawing circles. It is possibly some kind of scientific equipment, or it is possibly a dip pen holder, or pencil holder.