File:2434 Post Medieval Lead vessel (FindID 239139).jpg

English: Lead vessel

A complete cast lead vessel or possible holy water container, dating to the Post Medieval period, probably dating from AD 1500 – 1800 (length: 40mm; width at open mouth: 67mm;depth: 35mm; weight: exceeds weight limit of scales).

This vessel or container is sub-triangular or bell-shaped in plan with a hollow sub D-shaped section. At the top of the artefact, there is an irregular beaded border around the rim or mouth of the vessel that only remains around part of the artefact. There is an additional protruding platform underneath this beaded rim, below which the artefact tapers inwards. At approximately 24mm below the protruding platform of the artefact, there is a single raised band around the front of the artefact. The vessel/ container continues to taper inwards towards a flat but compressed base. The back of the artefact is mostly flat with a slight curved indentation along the top. There is no evidence of attachments or fittings to suggest how this artefact was fitted. There is no other decoration on the artefact, which is in a worn but fair condition with a light grey patina.

A similar artefact is recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database (WMID-6D21A1), which was found in the Tong area of Shropshire. Other similar artefacts are also illustrated in Bailey, G, 2001, 'Detector Finds 2', pages 80-1, ref nos 3 & 5 particularly. Bailey describes this artefacts as flat-backed lead 'bells', which appear to be relatively uncommon finds. The actual use of these 'bells' is uncertain, but the most popular theory is that these objects were used as containers for holy water. Although holy water fonts in churches are much larger, smaller containers could have been used by Catholics in their private houses.