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Ladies Hunting: A Late Medieval Decorated Mirror Case from Shapwick, Somerset

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Eleanor Standley
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK. E-mail: .

Abstract

This paper examines a later medieval small find excavated from Shapwick, Somerset. A multi-disciplinary approach is taken to understand the use of the decorated object, identified as a mirror case, and its symbolic meaning as a possible love when. Comparisons are made with other finds of metal mirror cases from mainland Britain and ivory examples from the Continent with depictions of hunting scenes. The imagery of hunting and hawking is discussed in relation to contemporary material culture in order to identify the socio-cultural significance of this activity and the mirror case.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 2008

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