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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy button and loop fastener of Roman date. The head has a flat back and is slightly convex in profile. The shape of the head is uncertain as its edges are extremely worn and in some cases missing. It is possible that the head was once circular, although the edge nearest the loop seems to be relatively straight and thus possibly indicating a square shape. The head is decorated with a central cross with thick diagonal bands at the edge of each quadrant creating a lozenge shaped central motif. The recessed areas between the cross and diagonal bands may once have been inlaid with enamel or a similar material, but this is now missing. Around the edges of the central lozenge shape radiate small recessed triangles, with three visible along each outer edge of the diagonal bands. It is probable that these too were once inlaid with enamel or similar materials that are now missing.
An integral cast arm or shank extends from the underside of the head and is L-shaped in profile. At its exterior edge the shank expands horizontally and divides into two distinct arms but quickly terminates in old breaks. Between the two arms can be seen the start of an attachment loop that may have been triangular or lozenge shaped, and would have been oriented parallel to the head.
The entire object measures 24.60mm in length, 15.30mm in width, and weighs 4.98g.
This is a button and loop fastener of Roman date that would have acted as a fastener for clothing (see Wild, 1970). The poor preservation of the head of this fastener makes close attribution to one of Wild's button and loop classes problematic. If it was square, then this example should belong to his Class VIa and thus be of probable 2nd century AD date. If the head was circular, then it will belong to his Class Vb and would be of similar date (see Wild, 1970: pp. 139-142). | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Brown, Andrew | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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