File:Post Medieval Possible Bodkin (FindID 483728).jpg

English: Incomplete cast copper alloy unidentified object, possibly a bodkin (head-dress, dress or hat pin), of probable Post Medieval date. The item consists of a flatish, narrow, tapered stem or handle with a rounded finial at the narrowed end. Both faces of the stem are decorated with recessed decoration, probably incised or possibly integrally cast, on one face this consists of simplistic pairs of leaves flanking a central dashed line which runs the length of the stem. The other face of the item is decorated with pairs of transverse lines with alternating stars and ovals (both with a central pellet) between these lines; at the narrowest part of the stem, adjacent to the rounded terminal, the decoration consists of 2 lozenge-shaped recesses with central pellets and above this, at the very narrowest point of the stem, a small oval-shaped recess. At the opposite end of the object at the point where the stem is broken, the decoration above this break also differs and consists of a single chevron although the paired leaves decoration on the opposite face is the same at this point. At the point of the break the stem appears to have been branching into two, with no increase in the width, possibly forming a slot rather than a fork. It is primarily for this reason that the item has been considered as a possible bodkin. Other possible interpretations which have been considered are fork and spoon.

Bodkins typically have slots along their lengths but the majority of those recorded on the database tend to be more substantial in size, are usually made of silver and the decoration along the stem is definitely incised rather than possibly integrally cast, as in this case. At the point at which this record is being made no good parallel has been found for this item and it is therefore tentatively identified as a possible bodkin of probable Post Medieval date, c.1600-1800. The dating is based on the style of decoration along the stem.