Treasure: 2013 T60 (PAS: WAW-A43DB3)

Date: 16th century

Description: A cast silver-gilt composite dress hook; the back plate is trifoliate in plan with notches around the edge. The reverse of the plate has a soldered loop, which is flattened and slightly twisted towards the right end. There is a perforation in the centre of the back plate through which two silver wires protrude and are flattened against the plate (they hold the centre stud on the outer face). On the lower lobe is a silver wire hook, this has a sub-U shape profile, a circular section, with one terminal tapering to a sharp point, the other flattened and soldered to the back plate.

The outer face of the back plate has a large hemispherical boss on each lobe. Each hemisphere is decorated with three single-strand 'rope-twist' filigree wire circlets and a domed pellet at the apex. In the centre, between the three bosses, there is a smaller hemispherical headed stud, which is fixed to the back plate by way of the two wires and the central perforation. Beneath the hemispherical head of the stud there is a separate decorative collar thereby forming a flower; the collar forming the five petals. The petals are trapezoidal and appear undecorated.

Dimensions: The outer face and back plate of the dress hook and pin are silver gilt, with the exception of the lower part of the hook, where the gilt has worn off. The dress hook measures 22mm long, 16.9mm wide, 6.5mm thick.