This fragment of a spoon was found in Winterbourne through metal-detecting, and was declared Treasure due to its age and precious metal content (silver gilt). It may in fact be one of the earliest known English medieval spoons, being 13th century in date and used in liturgy (for religious rites). The stem is distorted, but has a diamond-shaped knob at one end and a stylised animal’s mouth at the junction with the bowl. The surviving portion of the bowl is engraved with the hand of God.
Further information about the archaeological site is available on the HER: www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MWB15706&resourceID=1030
HER – The Historic Environment Record (HER) is a register of all known archaeological and historical sites in the unitary authority of West Berkshire.
Period: 1066-1540
Place: Winterbourne
