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Description: | Part of a cast copper alloy zoomorphic swivel strap fitting of medieval date (1050-1400). The fitting comprises a single D shaped decorated loop, with a short length of tube running through the flat side of the loop. The swivel strap fitting measures 34mm long, 27.8mm wide, and 12.9mm thick.
The decorated loop is D shaped in plan and irregular (broadly D shaped) in cross section. It is cast in one piece. The two edges of the loop expand toward the swivel junction. Here they form two (one either side) decorative zoomorphic terminals. Each terminal is similar to the other and consists of an animal, probably a dog, with its jaws open grasping the straight part of the loop. The animal??s head is formed with two triangular shaped ears, oval moulded eyes and two ridges representing the snout. Held between the two animal terminals is an oval plate set at 90?? to the plane of the heads. This plate forms part of the swivel and is not decorated. There is a circular hole in the centre though which is a short length of tube which is broken at both ends. This allows the missing element to rotate through 360 degrees.
The swivel strap distributor is a mid brown green with a polished patina which covers most surfaces. A number of similar swivel strap distributors have been recorded by the PAS. They are dated broadly to the medieval period and it has been noted that the style of the terminals are very similar to Romanesque designs (1050-1250). It has, however, been suggested that as a style this form of strap swivel may continue to a later medieval date (Geake; PAS Finds Recording Guide page 71). Several similar decorated swivels can be seen in Brian Read??s Metal Artefacts from Antiquity (pages 59 and 62, reference 483-484). A similarly zoomorphic decorated tap can be seen in Egan Medieval Household p242 (Fig189 no: 745), which is dated to ceramic phase 11; 1350-1400. A broad medieval date of 1050 ?? 1400 is thus suggested. Due to the form of zoomorphic decoration a number of these swivels are thought to be associated with dog leashes. | Subjects: | swivel | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Cooper, Amy - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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LEASH
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
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