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Description: | A worn but complete cast copper-alloy harness pendant of medieval date. The form of the artefact is that of an 'elaborate quatrefoil' (Ward Perkins' (1940, 118) Type V), that is, with lozengiform protrusions between the semicircles. Central on one of the semicircles is a complete suspension loop with sub-circular perforation (L.: 10.8mm, W.: 7.9mm, Th.: 2.25mm); it is perpendicular to the main body of the pendant. The object is slightly curved in profile. Its upper surface is decorated using a form of champlev?? enamelling, in so far as enamel surrounds moulded elements. There is a central raised square, protruding from each side of which is a raised fleur-de-lys, and from each corner the lozenge mentioned above. In the centre of the square is a moulded lion passant guardant (walking left), around which a blue enamel field. The lozenges also contain blue enamel, while the fields around the fleurs-de-lys feature red enamel traces. It is likely that the raised elements would have once been gilded.
As Irene Szymanski writes, '[This is] a relatively common type of pendant; examples have been found throughout the country. They exist in two colourways: the lion on a red ground and the fleurs-de-lys on blue, or the lion on a blue ground and the fleurs-de-lys on red.' For further comment on the significance of the heraldic device see Irene's comments in the 'Notes' section, below. Many examples of this type can be found either on this database in slightly varying sizes, including ones found in Hampshire, or in the literature, for example Ashley (2002, 21, 23; refs. 208-213) and Read (2001, 49, 56; refs. 440-442). | Subjects: | heraldic | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Webley, Robert - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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