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Description: | An incomplete copper-alloy book clasp of medieval date. Several examples of this category of artefact are recorded on the PAS database - see, for example, SF7379 and SUR-9222A1 - although no exact parallel could be found for this particular design. The suggested date for these fittings is late 14th century AD.
The object is hollow and has been cast in one piece. The uppermost element to survive comprises a three dimensional four-petalled flower head. The upper surface of this flower head bears a raised central pellet with three transverse grooves and a pattern of closely spaced radiating grooves around its perimeter. This central pellet overlays an incised cross which extends almost to the edge of the petals. The perimeter of the flower head is marked by a groove. The flower head element has vertical sides and sits at a higher level than the rest of the clasp. A small amount of damage at the base of the back edge suggests that, as with most other known examples, this artefact would originally have had an attached socket for the leather binding strap. The integrally cast lower element of the clasp is elaborately moulded and takes the form of a zoomorphic head. The animal has large ears which mould around the shape of the lower flower petal. A defined brow ridge sits above the moulded pellet eyes, and the nose is of pentagonal section and terminates in a perforated lobe, set at a right-angle the rest of the clasp. The underside of the clasp is flat and there is a large rivet hole on the underside of the flower head element. The upper surface of the clasp retains a significant amount of gilding.
The piece measures 44.8mm long, 22.4mm wide and 11mm thick. The weight is 19.9g. | Subjects: | Clasp | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Watters, Julian - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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