Description: A post-medieval silver button, probably one element from a cuff link. The button is circular in plan, flat with a downturned edge and flat rim. The disc has been stamped with a design of two hearts surmounted by a single crown on top of a stippled background. A silver wire loop is soldered onto the reverse, and a short length of silver wire, probably part the loop that joint both elements of the cuff link, was found in association with the button.

Dimensions: The cufflink is 14.5mm in diameter and 4.7mm thick; it weighs 0.72g. The wire is 15.2mm in length and weighs 0.11g.

Discussion: Cufflinks were first introduced in the latter half of the 17^th century, and those depicting crowned hearts are conventionally assumed to commemorate the marriage of Charles II and Catherine of Braganza in 1662, but that they took on more general royalist and Catholic meaning, going out of fashion during the early 18^th century (Lewis 2013: 3-5). This example fits into Lewis' (ibid) group A.

The cuff link appears to consist of over 10% precious metal and be over 300 years old at the time of finding and as such qualifies as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Wil Partridge

Finds Liaison Officer for Devon and Somerset

October 2017