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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy Early Medieval/Anglo-Scandinavian strap end of Thomas' Class B Type 6. The strap end has a zoomorphic animal head terminal with flat lower plate that is set at right angles to the plane of the attachment end. The split attachment end is sub-rectangular in plan, tapering towards the terminal end. On both faces there is an incised border that traces the edge of both long sides, and there is a cylindrical copper alloy rivet that pierces both uper and lower plates. The attachment end terminates at its base with zoomorphic moulded decoration. This comprises the head of a creature with projecting triangular ears above a prominent, projecting forehead that is triangular in plan. Beneath the forehead is a moulded open mouth from which projects the lower plate of the terminal. This lower plate is set at right angles to the plane of the slipt attachment end, and if viewed from above appears to depict flames extending from the open mouth of the beast, suggesting this is a dragon or similar creature. The flat plate itself is sub-triangular in plan with a moulded outer edge, tapering to a rounded terminal projection. It has incised decoration that consists of a lozenge shaped incision running from the open mouth towards the base of the plate. With small rounded projections to either side of the plate nearest the mouth this gives the impression of plumes of smoke or fire. The lozenge shaped incision contains an area of incised geometric decoration that represents three long, thin rectangles arranged along three of the sides of the lozenge, with two smaller, but thicker, rectangles in between them. Two further rounded projections to each side of the plate at the exterior angle of the lozenge gives the impression of possible further plumes beneath the first pair. To the left hand side of the lozenge is a rectangular border running from the lower projection to the terminal end of the plate. On the right hand side the exterior edge of the plate is moulded almost to resemble the head of a second creature. This is sub-oval in shape with what appears to be an oval shaped moulding with central pellet, perhaps representing an eye. Beneath the 'eye' the left and right hand sides of the plate meet and beneath them projects the terminal end of the plate. This is an extension of the possible second head and takes the form of a diagonal groove followed by an oval shaped projecting knop with central oval shaped incision. The back face of the plate is flat and undecorated. The entire strap end measures 58.73mm in length, 21.39mm in width (at lower plate), 8.75mm in thickness (at attachment end), and weighs 15.84g.
This strap end is of Early Medieval date and demonstrates Anglo-Scandinavian influence. It finds its closest parallel with Thomas' Class B Type 6 strap ends that are described as a small sub-group with an animal head terminal that has an open mouth often displayed at 90 degrees to the plane of the strap end (Thomas, 2003: pp. 6). According to Thomas, this type of strap end is diagonostic of the Late Ringerike and Urness styles of metalwork and should therefore date to the 11th century AD (Thomas, 2003: pp. 6). | Subjects: | Thomas Class B Type 6 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Brown, Andrew | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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