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Description: | A late Iron Age baldric ring, which would have been used as part of the composite belt, used to hang a sword. It is also possible that this ring formed part of some other attachment, probably relative to a strap or harness/ bridle fitting. An exact parallel for this piece could not be found. the ring consists of a core of iron (forming the shape of the ring). This iron ring has then been coated in a shell of high quality copper alloy, which has a shiny dark green patina. This shell has been broken open by the corrosion products and the layers of rust from the internal iron core. The core is pulling open the copper alloy shell and the iron has badly rusted. Tiny fragments of the copper alloy shell survive in the corrosion product of the iron, indicating that the iron has lifted the external surface. Cast integrally to the ring is a copper alloy decorative feature which extends from a 12 o'clock position from the main ring. The terminal of this projection is shaped like a flower, with four petals. The flower measures (12.9 x 11.7mm). The artefact is 38.3mm in height (including the iron corrosion on the base of the ring) and approximately 27.7mm in width (again including the iron corrosion). The flower 'stud' may have fitted into holes in leather in much the same way as a modern belt is held together. The baldric ring may have given the sword bearer a means of adjusting the length of the belt. This artefact has been conserved by the conservators at the British Museum. Due to the fact that the iron is forcing the copper alloy shell open, rust layers from the iron ring needed to be removed in order to release the pressure on the shell. This process will continue as the iron will continue to push out. The artefact is being kept in a stable environment. Four baldric rings have recently been found in West Sussex, the PAS record numbers are listed here: SUSS-D82452 SUSS-4C9825 SUSS-4C8491 SUSS-913C68 The four baldric rings have all been donated to the British Museum by the finders and the landowners.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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