Calling all archeologists and amateur treasure hunters...

I wasn't too sure where to put this thread as it covers both Archeology and at the same time general chit chat.

First of all a little bit of history concerning the region where I live :

I live smack bang in the middle of the French countryside in a tiny village in the Loire Valley called Epeigné les Bois.

This village was once part of a vast territory including vineyards originally owned by the Marques family back in the 11th century before the castle was burned down and raised again over the years. Here is a snippet in bad translation of the history of the castle :

Château de Chenonceau is one of the oldest and most beautiful castles in the France that is today only surpassed by the might of the famous Versailles in Paris. It is located near small village Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley and was originally built over the river Cher in the 11th century.

In its original form, it had a form of a simple château of Marques family that was eventually burned to the ground in 1412 by the order of French king. Two decades later, Jean Marques managed to rebuild the castle, but his heir decided to sell the castle in 1513 to the nobleman from Normandy - Thomas Bohier. It was he who decided to raze all the buildings, and in their place create a third castle, a castle that has survived to today.

Between 1515 and 1522, castle construction is preformed, with all the moats, dojos, gardens and residence quarters that were created in the most authentic Renaissance style of 16th century.

From the moment it was created, beauty and unique style of the castle that was built over the river Cher attracted royalty and nobles from all around the Europe. Numerous French kings visited the castle, as were rulers of Germany and England. In 1559 after the death of King Henri II in a jousting tournament on the Château de Chenonceau grounds, his wife Catherine de' Medici demanded that the castle must be handed into her possession. Under her rule, the castle was expanded with a new style of gardens and construction of grand courtyard, and the grand gallery was finished.

More can be found here : www.famouscastles.net...

And definately here for a dated overview and great translation : www.linkparis.com...

Anyways, back to the nitty gritty of my thread :

A couple of years ago I was digging out my garden and at about 30 to 40 cms deep came across this little gem (as well as a couple of simple silver bracelets and 2 gold coins) :

Front :



Back :



Side pic :



Another side pic showing the buckle :



The object in question has been identified as (IN FRENCH) a CLAVANDIER and up until now only 4 have been found intact in Europe and I am that fourth person.

Links here in French :

detecteur-de-metaux.ch...

boucles.clicforum.fr... (this is the most complete version of the Clavendier)

What is a clavandier and from when does it date? :

A Clanvadier is something that was hooked to someones belt (usually a castle or gate keeper) and used to carry keys (an ancient ancestor of the keyring)

Here is another more complete version found to this day : SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE PLEASE TO THE BOTTOM AS HAVING COPY PASTE ISSUES :

boucles.clicforum.fr...

From the research I have done this item may date from the 14th century up until the 17th century...

Item is bronze with 10 cms in length and roughly 4 to 7 mm thick and all is is in perfect condition.

So the big question is the following to all our archeology and amateur treasure hunters...

How much do you reckon that this item is worth?

I love the historical/cultural side of things here in France and have a passion for such and would love to keep this item but the money is much needed right now...

IF I cannot sell this item then no issues as I will gladly I will donate to a local archeology association.

Thanking everyone for non snarky comments and tons of information.

I really need to buy a new metal detector by the way....

Warmest

Lags

a reply to: Lagomorphe

no snark - but contacting an auction house // broker that specialises in such antiques would be the best way to sell it

Here's one similar to yours..dated circa 1880-1900...my guess on value...not much.

artefacts.mom.fr...

translated into English.
translate.google.com... %26affmode%3Dvign

originally posted by: ignorant_ape
a reply to: Lagomorphe

no snark - but contacting an auction house // broker that specialises in such antiques would be the best way to sell it

Thanks mate but going small first here on ATS and other forums as auction houses and antiques specialists will try to rip me a new hole if you see what I mean?

Would love to hear from people that have made the same type of discovery...

Thanks again for your input mate.

Warmest

Lags

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
Here's one similar to yours..dated circa 1880-1900...my guess on value...not much.

artefacts.mom.fr...

translated into English.
translate.google.com... %26affmode%3Dvign

Thanks mate...

Didn't see that site... going to dig in deeper now even if it is not worth much the historical value for my kids and grandchildren is priceless!

Thanks once again.

Warmest

Lags

a reply to: Lagomorphe

In my country, everything you find is confiscated, and you get pennies so you can buy a pizza, if you even consider keeping it or selling it, you will get an insane fine.

Frigging hate this hellhole.

Very nice find by the way, and i hope you have more reasonable laws in France.

originally posted by: Lagomorphe

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
Here's one similar to yours..dated circa 1880-1900...my guess on value...not much.

artefacts.mom.fr...

translated into English.
translate.google.com... %26affmode%3Dvign

Thanks mate...

Didn't see that site... going to dig in deeper now even if it is not worth much the historical value for my kids and grandchildren is priceless!

Thanks once again.

Warmest

Lags

Yeah, better in a display cabinet in your house than sitting in a drawer never to be seen again at some local museum. Any pics of the Gold coins...Ancient or modern.?

originally posted by: Soloprotocol

originally posted by: Lagomorphe

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
Here's one similar to yours..dated circa 1880-1900...my guess on value...not much.

artefacts.mom.fr...

translated into English.
translate.google.com... %26affmode%3Dvign

Thanks mate...

Didn't see that site... going to dig in deeper now even if it is not worth much the historical value for my kids and grandchildren is priceless!

Thanks once again.

Warmest

Lags

Yeah, better in a display cabinet in your house than sitting in a drawer never to be seen again at some local museum. Any pics of the Gold coins...Ancient or modern.?

Will post pics of the coins tomorrow (just Napoleon coins and worth face value which is about 350 Euros each right now)

Missus hid the coins... wonder why!?

Warmest

Lags

By the way : as a keen treasure hunter : Said item was only cleaned off with water and soft soap.

Warmest

Lags

a reply to: Lagomorphe

Nice find there matey!

a reply to: [post=22240361]Chadwickus

Thanks

a reply to: Lagomorphe

Cool finds dude. Were all those finds in the 1 location? I know little about the subject, but just had the thought that you maybe unknowingly hit an unmarked grave? Coins, a belt-key holder, and some bracelets. If you were lying with you arms by your side, all those things could be in close vicinity to each other.

I'm probably way off like, as I admittedly know very little about archaeology and treasure hunting (though I do daydream about trying to find the 9th legions eagle standard from time to time...!)

Have fun!



ETA: I realise that even if they were from the 15/16th century, there would most likely still be bones (or at least fragments) if there was a body. Just ignore me! Typed before I thought it through.

Thanks Abdul.

Still researching as you write mate.

Will let you know when I can.

Warmest

Mags

a reply to: AbdulAlhazred

originally posted by: Lagomorphe
By the way : as a keen treasure hunter : Said item was only cleaned off with water and soft soap.

Warmest

Lags

My Weapons of choice..

originally posted by: Lagomorphe
Thanking everyone for non snarky comments and tons of information.

When I first read this sentence I did not see the word "non" and I was thinking wow.

a reply to: Soloprotocol

What model and brand?

originally posted by: dfnj2015
a reply to: Soloprotocol

What model and brand?

Two Bulgarians..one on the left of pic is a Blisstool v3 the one on the right is a Golden Mask 5. The Blisstool is one of the deepest detectors in the business, super quick recovery speed as well. Pretty awesome machine, but a royal pain in the arse to listen too as it's a mono tone machine. That's the main reason i bought the Golden mask, to give my ears and brain a rest.

originally posted by: Soloprotocol

originally posted by: Lagomorphe
By the way : as a keen treasure hunter : Said item was only cleaned off with water and soft soap.

Warmest

Lags

My Weapons of choice..

Urggghh I am jealous bud...

Care to share more details?

Warmest

Lags

Double post... My very first!

just did..


Neither was overly expensive as far as good detectors go.. £360 for the Blisstool (second hand) and the £360 for the Golden mask new. both came with two coils each.