Mystery Object from the Conservation Labs – What do you think it is?Mystery Object from the Conservation Labs – What do you think it is?
Posted by: Blog Administrator on Nov 24, 2009
Objects conservator Sebastian Foxley has recently been working on a mystery object from Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre.
Object before cleaning
The object was received completely obscured by corrosion and soil but an x-ray revealed that it is circular and has a trailed decoration on the top surface. It is hollow inside and initial cleaning also showed that the object is made from iron and copper. Please 'read more' to see the object at the end of the cleaning process.....
Careful cleaning has now revealed all the detail on the object but its identity is still a complete mystery.
The object during cleaning The object after cleaning
The object was found in Tytherton Lucus in a ditch amongst some iron slag. Pottery also found in the ditch dates it to the late 14th or early 15th century.
This is the only information that we have about the object - do you have any ideas as to what it could be?resize.jpg "Underside of the object before Cleaning")
Underside of the object before Cleaning
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3-sided motif perhaps a reference to the Trinity or a triskell design (?)
Perhaps a memento from a sacred site supposedly containing a relic or holy water to be carried or worn as a charm (?)
Perhaps more prosaically a brooch or decorated clasp