|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete cast copper-alloy post-medieval sword-belt fitting. It consists of a sub-rectangular plate, from one end of which a hook would have protruded; this has been broken off. The shortest edge (21.4mm) features the now vestigial hook in its centre; the edge incurves very slightly on both sides towards the hook. The plate is flat and features moulded decoration on its upper surface. The two long sides incurve, flaring out to a width of 22.7mm at the longer edge. This latter is formed of two curves - two crescentic removals. There is a central perforation above the longer edge; on the lower surface of the plate this is recessed slightly. There are two further rivet holes in the rounded corners of the shorter edge. No rivets remain, although there is some iron staining around the single hole. The decoration on the upper surface of the plate consists of a symmetrical foliate design in relief: a central stem with inverted heart-shaped leaves below the hook and just above the centre of the field. Fronds extend diagonally from just above the single rivet hole towards the corners of the shorter edge; the curl round the rivet holes are terminate in leaves. Leaves extend along the edges of the fronds towards the long edges. A narrow, undecorated raised border surrounds the design, following the shape of the plate. The reverse of the plate is plain. The artefact now has a largely mid-green patina over red-brown metal. As well as the loss of the hook the plate has suffered damage in the form of shallow bends and strikes.
Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). This type and design is not uncommon and similar can be found in the literature (e.g. Geake 2001, illustration 17). | Subjects: | casket sword belt fitting | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Burnett, Laura - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
|
|