File:A complete Early Post Medieval copper alloy dress hook (16th century). (FindID 275977).jpg

English: A complete Early Post Medieval copper alloy dress hook (16th century). The fitting belongs to Read’s (2008) Class E type of Early Post Medieval single sharp-hooked clasps, and would have been used as an individual fitting, rather than with a corresponding eye-section. The copper alloy plate has been cast in a stylised shield-shape with moulded decoration and seven round openwork holes. The square-topped shield has a rectangular plan attachment loop projecting upwards from it, which would have enabled the fitting to be sewn onto a dress item. A quarter of a way in from the top right corner, this attachment loop has broken and folded outwards slightly, but none of the material seems to have been lost. According to Geoff Egan, this suggests that the break was a response to considerable strain on the hook. The body of the shield-shaped plate has a bevelled outer edge and contains five openwork holes arranged in a set of three flanked by a set of two. The lower section of the shield is defined by a stepped, lobed lower edge, which extends into a central point. From here extends the triangular-sectioned sharp hook, which has been cast in one-piece with the plate. It loops backwards upon itself, pointing down and inwards towards the plate. At the junction of the plate and the hook is a further pair of openwork holes, one on each side of the hook. The hooked clasp is only slightly worn, and has a dull gold-coloured surface. Read (2008) illustrates two similar examples, p. 90 refs. 309 and 310.

Dimensions: length: 34.78mm; width: 15.38mm; thickness: 2.17mm; weight: 2.53g.

Identification and dating by Tony Pilson and Ian Smith based on foreshore context

Reference: Read, B. 2008. Hooked-Clasps and Eyes. A Classification and Catalogue of Sharp- or Blunt-Hooked Clasps and Miscellaneous Hooks, Eyes, Loops, Rings or Toggles. Portcullis Publishing, Langport, Somerset.