File:Post medieval silver toilet implement set (FindID 462295).jpg

English: A Post-Medieval silver toilet-implement set in the form of a female, probably of 17th century date, consisting of four elements, of which one is broken (and substantially missing). These elements are grouped together by bracket, consisting of a silver strip of three conjoined circles bent into a U, with the two ends (once) joined by a silver rivet above the figure's head; one end of the bracket is now detached, though the rivet is still in place.

Looking at the object so the detached side of the bracket its showing, the individual elements can be described as follows:

The upper-third of first element takes the form of a naked female bust, with her head in quarter-profile (left), though much of her facial features are worn away. At her shoulders and hips there are pairs of rounded projections; these might suggest limbs, but are probably just decorative. Midline on her waist is a raised roundel. The middle third of the first element is broadly flat in plan, with three raised linear mouldings (a larger one between two evenly sized smaller ones) below. The lower third of the first element is flared, widening top to bottom, with the end bent over at right angles, inwards, to form both an implement, and a possible clasp to the set. The back of the first element is flat and undecorated.

The second element is broken, at the point parallel to neck height on the first element. Both faces of this element are flat and undecorated.

The third element is a silhouette of the first. Its lower third is however in the form of a lozenge, and was presumably used as a tooth/nail pick. Both faces of this element are flat and undecorated.

The fourth element is of the same form as the first element, but reversed (so that the bust on both sides faces outwards). The upper and middle parts of this element are broadly the same as those on the first, but there is no surviving roundel at the figure's waist. The lower third of this element is broadly flat in plan with a small bowl at its end, to form an ear-scoop. The reverse (inside side) of this element is flat and largely undecorated, apart from the inscribed letters SD (presumably the owner's or maker's mark), between the neck and the waist of the bust.

The bracket (described above) is decorated with incised lines in the form of chevrons. From the bracket are two silver rings, forming part of an attachment chain.

Discussion: Another, similar 17th Century cosmetic set was found in Gloucestershire, GLO-5FB557. The individual elements are also similar to other silver cosmetic implements recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database of the 17th century; see NCL-B5BCC7 for example.

Dimensions:
Total length 81.5mm
Length of attachments 57.7mm
Diameter of ring 11.5mm
Width of attachments 8.4mm
Thickness of attachments 7.2mm
Length of bracket 10.3mm
Width of bracket 6.0mm
Thickness of bracket 5.5mm
Weight 10.58g