English: An incomplete fragment from a cast copper alloy tankard handle dating to the Late Iron Age or early Roman period (150 BC - 200 AD). The fragment consists of the central element of the handle and is broken at both ends. Both the fixing / attachment plates are lost. The fragment is broadly elliptical / oval (vesica shaped) in plan and rectangular in cross section; it has been distorted by movement in the soil. The two broken ends are patinated and abraded suggesting damage occurred in antiquity. The upper face of the handle is decorated with a cast and pierced design. This design is contained between two rectangular ribs that form the long edges of the handle and comprises an elegant s shaped scroll with evenly spaced roundels. The areas between these is cut away with great care and attention. The central scroll tapers and expands along its length, where is expands it forms trumpet shaped roundels. The central roundel is decorated with an annulet which is divided by a vertical cross (creating an internal space of four wedge shaped quarters), where are the other roundel is decorated with four raised pellets. At the mid point of the scroll are two further roundels which are similar decorated with pellets. The reverse face of the handle is flat and undecorated. The fragment is a mid green colour with a polished surface patina. A direct parallel has not been found - although the overall shape and size of the handle is similar to a number of tankard handles known for example on the Trawsfynydd (Merioneth) Tankard (Jope Vol II plate 228-9 and XII (917) and Vol I p348). The decorative style is also similar to that seen on a number of 'Early Celtic' pieces of metalwork. It is possible to follow Jope's description (917) and suggest that the design comprises: "an elegant S shaped figure poised freely floating between the hook ends of two strands growing out of the apices of the vesica; a design of balanced dissymmetry" (Ibid - 348).

The tankard handle measures 34.7mm length, 15.1mm width, is 2.9mm thick, and weighs 5.25 grams.