MEDIEVAL MINIATURE OBJECT

An incomplete cast lead miniature object in the form of a possible axe or hammer head, of possible Medieval date, about AD 1200 - 1600.The handle is missing but would have fitted into the circular central socket.This object is sub-rectangular in plan, sub-rectangular in cross-section and sub-triangular or wedge-shaped in side view. In plan, it flares from the top to the cutting edge and has a swelling either side of the transverse perforation for the handle. It extends away from the main body to form a hammer head. The perforation is oval and measures 3.2mm in length and 1.9mm in width.The object is grey with a coarse surface.Height: 25.31mm; width: 10.39mm; thickness: 5.5mm. Weight: 4.72g.Though Roman votive axes are known, the PAS Roman Finds Advisor does not think this is one. A closer parallel is perhaps YORYM-0ED88A which is recorded as a toy, but HESH-085706, though a differently designed axe, contains relevent suggestions from the late Geoff Egan who commented that: "There are several of these plain axes known, both here (UK) and more in Scandinavia/the Baltic. It is possible this tool type was in some way analogous with the more common decorated ones, which were miniature weapons of combat, complete with wooden shafts (and which tend to have been published along with pilgrim badges). The decorative ones perhaps acted as favours during tournaments. They were popular in several countries from at least the C13th to the C16th, possibly going back much further, but nothing more specific has yet emerged. See Brian Spencer's book on London pilgrim and secular souvenirs (1998) p301-07.There are apparently no other tool-accessories to support the toy idea in the Medieval period."