ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

43

A small, probably votive hammer head, possibly dating from the Roman period. The miniature object has a flat, blade at one end and a square butt or striking face at the other. There is a circular hole through the centre of the object; this would have held a shaft which is now missing. The object has a smooth green patina. It seems to small to be a functional tool, though it could possibly have been used for jewellery making. Apart from having a separate handle, the design is very similar to 19th and 20th century toffee hammers, so a Modern date cannot be ruled out. Compare SUSS-E3E5D7. The hammer head is 24.6mm long, 7.6mm wide and 6.5mm thick. 6.08g.