Medieval and Later Pottery Fragment Group

Ribbed hoop, applied parcel-gilt bezel with a crowned heart flanked by quatrefoils. 6.19 grams, 23.75 mm overall, 19.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Found Norfolk, UK. From an old private collection of Norfolk, UK, gentleman, formed since 1998. Recorded by the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). Accompanied by a copy of the report to HM Coroner with Treasure reference no.2017 T948. Accompanied by a letter from the British Museum informing that the Crown's interest in this find has been disclaimed.

The design lacks the clasped hands which are a usual feature of the claddagh rings.

Shaped as a small cauldron with a long curved handle decorated with five incuse circles extending from the rim to the swan-head finial and with loop handle beneath; spherical body, slightly oblate at the base with an everted rim and casting seams, three splayed stub legs with ribbed profile; offered with objects recovered from the same archaeological context: a struck flint flake; two bone fragments; a fragment of pottery. 3.1 kg total, 3.8-32 cm



Located whilst searching with a metal detector and archaeologically excavated by Norfolk Archaeology Unit, near Harling, Norfolk, UK, on Wednesday 8th November 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-C1D619 which includes a photograph of the cauldron in situ before excavation. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12165-219623.

Bronze cauldrons played a role in ritual practices in the Middle Ages and beyond. It appears that many of the bronze cauldrons have been deliberately deposited, although the reasons for this were not always clear. There are strong indications that this often took place at the beginning of a large-scale project. This may have been the construction of a castle or a rampart, of a city wall, the building of a dyke, a dangerous crossing of the sea, the cultivation of a piece of farmland or the reclamation of a peat bog. For all types of projects, salvation and blessing could be requested in the form of a deliberate deposit of a bronze cauldron. This custom is directly comparable with the Medieval ritual of placing coins under the foundation stone of a building.

Including one a truncated cone with vertical ribbing, a square-section wedge with reserved 'T' to underside, and other types; two with typed collector's note. 976 grams total, 43-69 mm



Ex Simmons Gallery, 1990s. Accompanied by two typed information slips.