Copper alloy purse frame fragment, Late medieval, 15th-16th century AD. Found by metal detector at Meonstoke, Corhampton and Meonstoke, Hampshire. Both surfaces of the frame are inscribed, and the inscriptions would originally have been inlaid with niel

Copper alloy purse frame fragment, Late medieval, 15th-16th century AD. Found by metal detector at Meonstoke, Corhampton and Meonstoke, Hampshire. Both surfaces of the frame are inscribed, and the inscriptions would originally have been inlaid with niello, only a small amount of which survives. On one side the inscription reads: RATVIA (the R and part of the A retain niello). The original inscription on the complete frame likely read NOSTRI RATVIA. The other side reads: TVAP(reversed)S. The fragment is generally rectangular in shape. At one end the frame is broken off. From here the frame expands slightly before beginning to taper. The terminal is formed by two circular elements. At the tapered end the frame expands slightly into the first circular element, and then again to form the second circular element, which has a small circular projection extending from slightly off centre. Along one edge there are two rectangular projections, both of which appear to be broken off, and one is much smaller than the other, possibly the remains of suspension loops. Patchy mid-dark green patina.

Purse frame fragment

Late medieval or Tudor, 15th-16th century AD

Found by a metal detectorist at Meonstoke, Hampshire, about 1996

This copper-alloy purse frame would have supported a cloth purse which hung at the owner's belt. Both surfaces of the surviving frame fragment are inscribed, and the inscriptions would originally have been inlaid with niello, a metallic alloy, only a small amount of which survives. On one side the inscription reads: RATVIA. The original inscription on the complete frame likely read in latin NOSTRI RATVIA. The other side reads: TVAP(reversed)S.

Portable Antiquities Scheme find number HAMP-674C31.

Copper alloy purse frame fragment, Late medieval, 15th-16th century AD. Found by metal detector at Meonstoke, Corhampton and Meonstoke, Hampshire. Both surfaces of the frame are inscribed, and the inscriptions would originally have been inlaid with niel