Trade silver?

[Brian in MA]

I found this 'thing' in a field that has produced Mass Bay silver and other early to mid 1600's items. I apologize for the poor lighting in the pictures. The item is silver, although its hard to see that in the pictures.

It appears that there was more to it at one time but has since broken off. It also appears to be slightly bent out of shape. I noticed that one side of the 'tip' is concave while the other isn't.

It also has what looks to be hand carved arrows on either side of the item. There are no other markings of any type on it.

Any ideas as to what this may have been? Any possibility of it being trade silver?

Thanks for looking...

Brian in MA

[RelicHunter97]

Reminds me of an old silver bodkin?

Cool old find nonetheless!

[uglymailman]

Looks like an Ankh roachclip from the 70's. There would have been a slide to push the prongs together.

[RelicHunter97]

I just did a quick search on Google and now I am certain this is half of a silver bodkin, which could go back to the 17th c.

Check out this one from ca. 1630
http://www.styles-silver.co.uk/acatalog/Bodkin.html

"A bodkin is a needle-like tool that were used for pulling tape or ribbon through a series of loops. 17th century clothing was often joined by such ribbons or leather straps. Bodkins were personal, often carried on the person, and passed through the generations."

And it had an interesting double use as an ear cleaner using that cup on the end

[High Plains Digger]

Maybe not a Ankh but perhaps a Celtic cross. Were they popular in the 70s? What is a roach clip? I use black flag. Groovy man.

[DCMatt]

I just did a quick search on Google and now I am certain this is half of a silver bodkin, which could go back to the 17th c.

Check out this one from ca. 1630
http://www.styles-silver.co.uk/acatalog/Bodkin.html

"A bodkin is a needle-like tool that were used for pulling tape or ribbon through a series of loops. 17th century clothing was often joined by such ribbons or leather straps. Bodkins were personal, often carried on the person, and passed through the generations."

And it had an interesting double use as an ear cleaner using that cup on the end

You guys are amazing. I've never heard of a bodkin, but there it is - half of a combination bodkin/ear spoon.



Who knew...? Cool find!

DCMatt

[Brian in MA]

Relic Hunter97 awesome ID and link. Based on that link and the pic DCMatt supplied I'm green checking this one.

I suspected it was early 1600's. Will have to go back and try to find the rest of it.

Great job guys and Thank You !!!

Brian

[CRUSADER]

I just did a quick search on Google and now I am certain this is half of a silver bodkin, which could go back to the 17th c.

Check out this one from ca. 1630
http://www.styles-silver.co.uk/acatalog/Bodkin.html

"A bodkin is a needle-like tool that were used for pulling tape or ribbon through a series of loops. 17th century clothing was often joined by such ribbons or leather straps. Bodkins were personal, often carried on the person, and passed through the generations."

And it had an interesting double use as an ear cleaner using that cup on the end

You guys are amazing. I've never heard of a bodkin, but there it is - half of a combination bodkin/ear spoon.



Who knew...? Cool find!

DCMatt

me Nice find, shame about the rest, but might be out there

[AGBlex]

my buddys dad had one of those and it was definatly used as a roach clip