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Description: | Incomplete Early Saxon gilded and silvered shield mount, in the form of a stylised fish, comprising broken head (probably originally tear-shaped, pointed mouth missing, ancient break), sub-rectangular body with two pairs of L-shaped fins (one cracked across junction with body) and flaring concave-ended tail (with slight transverse curve), >112 x 49mm. The tail is decorated with silver sheet appliqu??, now curling up towards broken points. It is probable that the head and fins were treated in the same way, as they are plain with their faces slightly recessed from the body to accommodate the missing sheet. The gilt body of the fish is decorated with two counter-relief panels of Style I double-strand interlace. On the reverse there is a single oval-sectioned (5 x 6mm) integral rivet, centrally placed between the two rear fins. The rivet projects 7mm and is covered with iron staining, with further patches on reverse of body, fins and tail. It is probable that there was another rivet on the missing part of the head. A close parallel for this mount was found on the Thames foreshore at Barnes (Clark (1980) Antiquaries Journal 60, 348-9), although smaller and with different central motif and stamps. Other mounts of similar type are known, including examples from Kenninghall and Dover (Cf. discussion in Evison 1987, 32-4 and Text figure 5). Late 6th century AD.
Further parallels can be found in T. Dickinson, 'Symbols of Protection: the significance of animal-ornamented shields in early Anglo-Saxon England', Medieval Archaeology 2005, 109-163. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Bales, Ellen - Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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