https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern.html https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/weights/uncertain-and-other-weights/lid-of-nested-cup-weight-set-59275.html Thu, 28 May 2026 18:55:37 GMT Uncertain and other weights  

Description:		The hinged lid only from a set of nested copper-alloy cup-weights. The lid is incised with three concentric double-line circles on both the inner and outer faces, and the latter is also inscribed with the Roman numeral XVI and some uncertain letters. It would originally have been attached to the outer cup of the set, and retains its hinge lug and locating lug. The hinged assembly of the lid and the outer cup would have provided the largest denomination, 16 ounces in the present case, as indicated by the inscribed XVI. The uncertain letters possibly include an 'A' for the averdepois trade weight system, although sets of this type are usually associated with the troy weight system used for weighing precious metals. The other weights in the set would have been binary divisions, i.e. 8, 4, 2 and 1 ounces and possibly half an ounce. For a generally similar complete set, see UKDFD 46399.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Weights, Uncertain and other weights
Category:		Uncertain and other weights

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/jewellery-and-dress-accessories/brooches/sweetheart-brooch-south-wales-borderers-59269.html Mon, 25 May 2026 11:28:53 GMT Brooches  

Description:		A South Wales Borderers silver sweetheart brooch, a cap badge style example, first introduced in 1896. The brooch loosely follows the regimental cap badge design, which depicts a sphinx on an Egypt tablet within a wreath of "Immortelles,"  SWB monogram below, and was probably mounted on a bar. The decorative engraving is distinctly from the late 19th to early 20th century. As the SWB was involved in the Boer War (1899-1902) and WWI (1914-1918), a date of 1899- 1918  is probably appropriate.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Brooches
Category:		Brooches

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/jewellery-and-dress-accessories/brooches/twisted-frame-brooch-59266.html Sun, 24 May 2026 07:29:41 GMT Brooches  

Description:		A 'twisted frame' or 'love knot' brooch, fabricated from two lengths of drawn wire; the ends of the wires have triangular terminals. Applied to the frame is a circular plate with a red glass cabochon at the centre, which is surrounded by an outer border of thirteen small cells that probably held cut glass stones of a contrasting colour. The fastening device is missing.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Brooches
Category:		Brooches

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/crotal-bells/crotal-bell-59244.html Sat, 02 May 2026 13:32:18 GMT Crotal bells  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy crotal bell with integral suspension loop and complete with intact iron pellet ('pea clapper') inside the bellchamber. The suspension loop is rectangular with a circular aperture. Both halves of the bellchamber are decorated with a multi-petalled flower design, and there is a bell-founder's hammer symbol in an escutcheon on one side of the sound slot.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Crotal bells
Category:		Crotal bells

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/crotal-bells/crotal-bell-59245.html Sat, 02 May 2026 14:28:01 GMT Crotal bells  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy crotal bell with intact iron pellet ('pea-clapper') inside the bellchamber. The integral suspension loop is rectangular, with an as-cast sub-rectangular aperture. The upper half of the bellchamber is plain; the lower half has vestigial traces of linear decoration, but it is very indistinct.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Crotal bells
Category:		Crotal bells

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/clasps/hooked-clothes-fasteners/hooked-clothes-fastener-59238.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:21:08 GMT Hooked clothes fasteners  

Description:		A one-piece single sharp-hooked clasp of the early post-medieval period. The plate is circular, with moulded relief and openwork decoration. The design is an equal-armed cross within a linear circle. The cross has a pellet at the centre and circular openwork decoration in the quadrants, which now appears to be blocked, or possibly unfettled. The edge of the plate is beaded and engrailed.  The sharp rearward-facing hook is present; the rectangular attachment loop is missing.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Clasps, Hooked clothes fasteners
Category:		Hooked clothes fasteners

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/miscellaneous/engraved-bead-59226.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:52 GMT Miscellaneous  

Description:		An unusual cylindrical stone bead, centrally drilled along the axis and engraved with a long-haired, bearded face, possibly that of Jesus, as suggested by the recorder. The bead itself is closely similar to some that were made in classical antiquity and often served at that time as cylindrical seals (see composite image, 6). These were engraved with various intaglio designs around the circumference, such that when they were rotated on a soft clay surface, a repeating pattern in relief was created. The style of the present engraving, however, is very much more recent and in cameo rather than intaglio. The design also occupies only part of the bead's surface, whereas the ancient seals were invariably engraved around the full circumference. The following suggestion is speculative, but it has not been possible to trace any persuasive parallel objects. It is plausible that the bead is of ancient manufacture and was originally plain, but then engraved in the post-medieval or modern period. This was possibly done during the revival of antiquarian interest following the excavation of Pompeii, etc., from the mid 18th to early 19th century. It might have been used as a devotional object, either as a jewellery component or for attachment to a rosary.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Miscellaneous
Category:		Miscellaneous

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/badges/civilian-badges/crescentic-stud-from-lapel-badge-59225.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:40:08 GMT Civilian badges  

Description:		The detached crescentic attachment stud from the back of a lapel badge. For a lapel badge with a generally similar stud, see UKDFD 27995.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Badges, Civilian badges
Category:		Civilian badges

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/buckles-belt-hooks-and-belt-clasps/double-loop-buckles/double-loop-rectangular-buckle-fragment-59193.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:58:13 GMT Double loop buckles  

Description:		One loop only of a double loop rectangular buckle with all-over moulded frame decoration. The loop has a bifid end with a trilobed knop on each of the external corners. The sides of the buckle were also bifid, with a similar knop at each end of the strap bar. The pin is missing.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Buckles, belt hooks and belt clasps, Double loop buckles
Category:		Double loop buckles

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/thimbles/thimble-59178.html Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:29:24 GMT Thimbles  

Description:		A crushed and incomplete silver thimble dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The top of the thimble is missing, the upper part has regular mechanically produced indentations, the central band is decorated with an engraved foliar pattern, and the scalloped base has an applied openwork skirt, depicting conjoined fleurs-de-lis. Thimbles of this type are sometimes described as 'galleried thimbles'. A very similar example is illustrated in a James Fenton catalogue of circa 1900 (see Image 3).
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Thimbles
Category:		Thimbles

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