16th century dress hook declared treasure (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

16th century dress hook declared treasure

A SILVER gilt dress hook found on a Northleach estate by a metal detecting enthusiast has been declared treasure by Cirencester Coroner's Court.

The dress hook, which dates from the 16th century, was found by Christopher Rush, of Preston, in September 2003.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Rush said he and other members of the South Ribble Metal Detecting Club had been given permission to search fields on Richard Roper's Northleach estate.

It was while they were combing the area that Mr Rush discovered the dress hook over the weekend of September 20-21, 2003.

Cotswold coroner Lester Maddrell told the court that the group left the item with Mr Roper, who later took it to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, which specialises in Roman and Medieval artefacts.

Mr Roper said he could not recall any other items of value being uncovered on the estate in the past.

The dress hook, which has a five point floral design, has a pierced centre and is 15mm by 20mm in size.

Corinium museum's archaeological officer, Paula Gentil, confirmed the hook dated from the 16th century.

She said Northleach was an important medieval market town, but nothing more precise was known about the history of the location where the item was found.

Cotswold Coroner, Lester Maddrell, praised Mr Rush for registering the find and said the hook could legally be classed as treasure because it contained more than 10 percent silver.

It will be passed on to the valuation committee of the British Museum to determine its value.

The find is now the property of the Crown, but the finder will be awarded the value of the item when the committee has reached a decision.