Copper-alloy, 15.02 grams, 61.89 mm. 16th century AD. A cast openwork bifacial pipe tamper in the form of an armoured knight driving the tip of his spear into the gaping mouth of a dragon while he stands on the monster's body. Beneath the supine dragon's spine is an expanding rod with a small collar at its base, by which it was attached. The armour shown includes an open-face helmet, segmented pauldrons and a fauld or laminated 'skirt', suggesting a 16th century date. Dragon-slaying figures in mediaeval tradition are usually Saint George or Saint Michael, the former being more popular in England as the patron saint. Reference: cf. terminal knops in Read, B. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity, Langport, 2001, p.97 items 721-3. Very fine condition. Provenance: found Sittingbourne, Kent, England.