PURSE 113983

Description: Copper alloy fragment of a purse bar of type A2. The sub-rectangular central block is rectangular in section (L. 18.6mm. W. 16.4mm. Th. 11.5mm), with a circular hole vertically through the centre which becomes wider at the base (D. 6.3-8.2mm). Each face has incised linear decoration which has been inlaid with niello. On one side there are three parallel vertical lines, the middle one of which has been damaged. On the other side there appear to be letters. The upper section is damaged so that the letters are unclear and there appears to be an ‘M’ underneath. The arms extend from either side of the central boss and are rectangular in section. At the junction between the arms and the central boss there is a rectangular element which is thicker and wider than the arms. An integral attachment plate extends from the lower edge of each arm. One of the attachment plates is intact and has three holes, the central one of which is blocked. The second attachment plate is incomplete and only two holes survive. At the end of one of the arms the arm thickens and splits vertically, creating a V-shaped opening at the end. The other arm is broken off approximately so that part of the attachment plate is also missing and this arm is also slightly bent. The surfaces of the arms are inscribed, and the inscriptions were originally inlaid with niello, some of which still survives. On one side the inscription reads ‘AVE MA’. The rest of the inscription is missing or unclear but would have most likely read ‘AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA’ (Hail Mary full of grace). On the other side the inscription reads [DO]M[IN]V[S] TECVM (The Lord is with thee). Patchy patina.

Date: 1450 - 1550

Object type: PURSE

Last import: August 15, 2017