TREASURE ANNU AL REPORT 2005/6 - Portable Antiquities Scheme

837. markyate, hertfordshire: 17th-century silver
thimble with engraved lozenges containing flower
heads and maker’s mark DA (2006 T281)
pAs ID: pAs-8ECb44
Found by Mr D Dunks while metal-detecting in May
2006; disclaimed, returned to finder.
D THORNTON
838. Ringmer, East sussex: 17th-century silver
thimble with ropework borders, maker’s mark GG
and scratched initials ‘mD’ (2006 T317)
pAs ID: suss-9660F4
Found by Mr A Stanley while metal-detecting in April
2006; disclaimed, returned to finder.
L ANDREWS-WILSON
(XIII) ToILET ImpLEmENTs
839. West hagbourne, oxfordshire: post-medieval
silver four-part cosmetic set (2005 T311)
Date: Possibly 16th or 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr M Ratford while metaldetecting
in June 2005.
Description: A set of cosmetic implements riveted
together at the top comprising:
1. A straight silver flattened pick perhaps for use in
parting the hair.
2. A leaf-shaped point on long stem.
3. A nail pick with claw end with engraved ornament at
the claw.
4. An ear-scoop, approx. 8cm long.
Discussion: There is nothing to indicate a date, apart
from the rough hatching on one of the implements
pins which may suggest a late Medieval or early
Post-Medieval date and the form of the ear scoop,
comparable to that found in the 17th century.
Cosmetic sets of similar type with rivets holding
together different elements are found made out of
copper alloy or brass, see for example two London
finds in Egan & Pritchard (1991), nos. 1755–6, ranging
in date from c. 1300 to 1400. This example comprises
more elements and may be later in date.
Disposition: Oxfordshire Museums Service hopes
to acquire.
D THORNTON
840. udimore, East sussex:
post-medieval silver toothpick (2006 T75)
Date: 16th or 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr J Forrow while metal-detecting
in October 2005.
Description: Fragment of a cast toothpick, broken off
at each end. The handle comprises a short section of
silver wire with a beaded terminal, from this springs a
foliate element with a suspension loop below. In the
middle of the foliate element is the worn remains of a
talon, the end of which is engraved with owner’s initials
MS. There, the fragment shows signs of considerable
use and wear. Length: 30mm approx.
Discussion: The toothpick pendant became a
fashionable accessory in northern Europe by 1562,
when engraved designs were published by the
goldsmith Erasmus Hornick. A late-16th-century
enamelled gold toothpick with a baroque pearl ‘body’ is
in the Waddesdon Bequest in the British Museum (Tait
1986, no. 31). This would appear to be cheaper version
in silver of a toilet article which could be worn as piece
of jewellery, presumably suspended from a belt. See
also Treasure Annual Report 2004, nos. 338 & 339.
Disposition: Rye Castle Museum had hoped to acquire
but withdrew; returned to finder.
D THORNTON
841. Fyfield and Tubney, oxfordshire:
post-medieval silver toilet implement (2006 T193)
Date: Probably 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr K Benning while metaldetecting
in March 2005.
Description: A silver implement made from thick
cylinder of silver with a flattened and pointed tip, bent
back, probably for use as a nail pick, and a transverse
moulding at other end. The shaft is divided into
sections, now broken off. Length: 45mm.
Discussion: Perhaps the broken end was originally
designed as a bifurcated toothpick, as seen on an
ear-scoop/toothpick found at the Thames exchange,
City of London (MOL Tex. 88 acc. no. 3753, see Egan &
Pritchard (1991), pp. 378–9).
Disposition: Oxfordshire Museums Service.
D THORNTON
842. Diss, Norfolk: 16th-century silver sickle-shaped
toothpick with bird’s claw moulding, inscribed ‘pm’
(2006 T367) pAs ID: Nms-4b49C1
Found by Mr R Green while metal-detecting in March
2006; disclaimed, returned to finder.
E DARCH
843. beddingham, East sussex: 16th-century silver
cast sickle-shaped toothpick handle (2006 T405)
pAs ID: suss-D883E2
Found by Mr P Halford while metal-detecting in
September 2006; disclaimed, returned to finder.
D THORNTON
844. hythe, Kent: 17th-century silver ear scoop and
toothpick (2006 T208) pAs ID: KENT-b3D336
Found by Mr P Thorn while metal-detecting in April
2006; disclaimed, returned to finder.
D THORNTON
845. Long Whatton, Leicestershire: 17th-century
silver grooming accessory, probably an ear scoop
and nail cleaner (2005 T345) pAs ID: DENo-010AD1
Found by Mr N Strange while metal-detecting in July
2005; disclaimed, returned to finder.
B McLEOD
(XIV) hAWKING VERVELs AND bELLs
846. Wiveton, Norfolk:
post-medieval silver hawking vervel (2006 T231)
Date: Late 16th–mid 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr J Jackson while metaldetecting
in March 2006.
Description: A vervel consisting of a D-section ring
with a shield-shaped plate soldered to the flat outer
face. The flat outer surface of the hoop is engraved:
Tho. Gryme. of. The shield is engraved three times with
the letter T, two side by side above a slightly larger
example. Shield dimensions: 8.5mm x 7mm;
weight: 1.02g.
Discussion: This motif is the arms of the Grime family
of Trimingham, Antingham and Suffield, Norfolk:
Azure three cross taus Or (Rye 1913, p. 271), although
no tincture survives. The owner of the object was
almost certainly Thomas Gryme, lord of the manor of
Antingham, whose will was proved in 1591. His second
son was also called Thomas (Hoare 1918, p. 391),
however it is unlikely that he would have borne the
arms undifferenced.
Disposition: Norwich Castle Museum.
A ROGERSON
847. Wellesbourne, Warwickshire: post-medieval
silver hawking vervel (2005 T257)
Date: Late 16th–early 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr A Farmer during ground
clearance in June 2005.
Description: A silver circular band, inscribed on both
faces with the owner’s name and address.
The inscription refers to ‘Sr Thomas Luci // of
Charlecote’. Contemporary records attest to three
successive Sir Thomas Lucys, between 1551 and 1640.
Diameter: 10mm.
Disposition: Warwickshire Museum.
S WEAR
848. Lydd, Kent: post-medieval hawking vervel
(2005 T302)
Date: 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr P Thorne while metaldetecting
in July 2005.
Description: A silver circular band, inscribed around
the outer face with the owner’s name: Richa. Hardres
Esqr. A Richard Hardres has been located, a knight
and Baronet of Hardres Court, Upper Hardres near
Canterbury, who was born in April 1606 and died in
October 1669. Diameter: 10mm.
Disposition: Disclaimed, returned to finder.
B McLEOD & A RICHARDSON
849. battle, East sussex:
post-medieval silver hawking vervel (2006 T60)
Date: Probably 17th century
Discovery: Found by Mr A Charman while metaldetecting
in December 2005.
Description: An annular silver ring, flattened and with
engraved lines at both edges enclosing an engraved
lozenge ornament and lettering in Roman capitals.
The surface is so abraded that the inscription cannot
be interpreted with any certainty, thought it appears
to read DF.TARGEN(?). Length: 11mm; weight: 1.34g.
Discussion: Vervels are small silver loops used in
hawking to connect the leather jesses or thongs to
the leash which ties the bird to its block. They are
inscribed with the name, crest and arms of the owner,
and sometimes with their place of origin. Here, the
annular form and the style of the lettering suggest
the above date; vervels of this form are illustrated in
contemporary treatises on falconry. A similar vervel
in the British Museum is inscribed of Rushbrooke
in Suf[folk] (MLA 1856,8-27,109), see Gaimster &
Margeson (1989).
Disposition: Battle Museum.
D THORNTON
164 POST-MEDIEVAL POST-MEDIEVAL 165