|
Date: |
|
Description: | Large and robust copper alloy Roman cavalry harness strap loop. Cast in one piece, this strap fitting takes the form of a top plate that extends into a vertical 'C' shaped loop, that continues into a shorter bottom plate, all semicircular in section. Viewed in plan, the top plate of the fitting has been cast in a decorative form, though the surface itself is undecorated. It is 41.42mm long and 5.74mm at the thickest point. It takes the form of three conjoined shapes, with no dividing lines between the different portions. The terminal is sub square with a wasted profile towards the bottom. In the middle of this square portion is a circular riveting hole, though the rivet no longer survives. From the square portion, the plate extends into an oval shape, which is slightly more semicircular than the other portions, before extending further into a rectangular shape. In the middle of the rectangular portion is a rivet hole, with the copper alloy rivet intact. The rivet is complete and extends only as far as the under side of the top plate. From the end of the rectangular section, the harness fitting thickens into the 'C' shaped loop. The loop has a diameter of 33.4mm. It is unevenly thick being 9.24mm where it extends from the top plate,diminishing to 6.48mm just before it extends into the bottom plate. The junction of the loop and top plate is marked with a transverse moulding. From this moulding, and following the top portion of the loop, are three moulded, raised lines that diminish half way along the loop, so that the underside is plain. The junction where the loop meets the bottom plate is plain, in that the plate merely extends from the loop. The bottom plate is rectangular in plan, 22.6mm long, 3.2mm thick and completely plain. In the middle of the plate is a circular riveting hole, but the rivet is now missing. The bottom plate is shorter than the top plate, and as the end is even and smooth, this is believed to be deliberate, not as the result of a break. The overall length of the object is 70.42mm, it is 11.02mm thick and weighs 57.98g. the surface is slightly abraded and it has an even dark green patina. A similar, though smaller example of an harness fitting can be found in Crummy 1983, figure 149, number 4199. Following this example, this strap fitting is probably mid first century in date.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
buckle
A copper alloy buckle dating…
-
BUCKLE
A copper alloy buckle dating…
-
-
|