Casgliadau Arlein

Finely cast handle strap with three rounded ribs separated by wide falt grooves. Borders are raised and wide with flat tops. Attachment plates are entirely confined byt borders and 6-7mm wide. The strap is semi-circular in section and approximately 13mm high internally. The underside of the strap is corrugated rather than an even curved surface. one of the attachment plates is entirely obscured on the upper surface byt a cast rod plate with a flat upper surface which follows the contours of the ribs and grooves. On the reverse of this plate three rod stubbs project through rivet holes. A further two rivet holes in the plate appear not to have been used. The second opposite attachment plate has no rod plate attached and has three rivet holes piercing it. Two of these, have been broken as is the rod plate was removed with some force. This belongs to a Class B2 cauldron of type Battersea, with parallels at Battersea, Broom and Ipswich. Unlike many know examples, this one has flat topped borders rather than flaring flanges. the surviving rod plate is from the inner brim of the cauldron.