A handful of tiny fragments of beautifully worked Tudor gold was found in a muddy stretch of the Thames foreshore over a period of years by eight different metal detectorists. The pieces all date from the early 16th century, and the style of the tiny pieces of gold is so similar that archaeologists believe they all came from the loss of one fabulous garment.

Such metal objects, including aglets (metal tips for laces) beads and studs, originally had a practical use as garment fasteners, but by the early 16th century they were being worn in gold as high-status ornaments. Some of the Thames pieces are inlaid with enamel or little pieces of coloured glass.

(after The Guardian)