VESSEL 750942

Description: An incomplete copper-alloy vessel leg probably from a cauldron, skillet or ewer, of medieval or post-medieval date (1200-1800). It has an old, worn break at one end which is concave in profile, revealing at the centre a bubble in the metal which has no doubt weakened it at this point. The pot leg is trapezoidal in cross-section at the break, being narrower to the smooth flat back, and with the addition of a central rib (triangular in cross-section) to the front, running the length of the leg. The metal is a mid-green in colour with some darker possibly soot deposits. The leg measures 23.4x12.4mm at the break, narrowing to 17.4x11.4mm at the ankle. From here the foot (trapezoidal in shape) is angled outwards and downwards, expanding to 21.1mm wide. The leg measures 69.2mm in length and weighs 81.57g. The vessels to which these were attached were usually of a tripod form and were widely used from circa AD 1200-1700 for serving and cooking. Butler and Green (2003) 15, state 'there is evidence that (cast copper alloy) metal cooking vessels became increasingly common during the 13th and 14th centuries'. While certain specialist cast copper alloy vessels such as skillets remained in use for longer, 'bronze cauldrons in general seem to have been superseded in the early years of the 18th century by cast iron which were cheaper to make and more durable' (ibid; 22).

Date: 1200 - 1800

Object type: VESSEL

Last import: August 15, 2017