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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy (Iron Age bronze) looped toggle, dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The toggle survives in an excellent condition. The object has been cast in one piece. The toggle is shaped rather like the head of a hammer-head shark. That is to say the main body of the toggle is cylindrical and either end has been capped by a circular rove. In the centre of the main body of the toggle there is a raised step or 'block' in the copper alloy equal in diameter to the roves. The circumference of the roves has been decorated with an engraved single line, which runs disjointedly around the widest part of the roves. The central block has also been decorated in this way, but it has two parallel engraved lines running part the way around the upper section of the block. The arms (between the central block and the roves) have varying degrees of wear evident from the thickness of the metal cylinder. These wear patterns are situated in precisely the areas where contact would occur when the toggle head was engaged. It is likely a leather strap would have wrapped around this section of the toggle, therefore causing the wear. The flat terminals of the toggle have also been decorated by a solid engraved ring which runs around the edge of the rove and a ring and dot motif can be seen in the centre. A large rounded triangular loop extends downwards from the central block of the toggle; it has been cast integrally to the main body of the toggle. The bottom of the triangular loop runs parallel to the main cylindrical section of the toggle. This strip of copper alloy is also worn (in comparison to the other two sides of the triangle). This wear pattern would again appear to be in the correct position for where one would expect the second leather strap to have been attached. The 'neck' to this loop is slightly waisted on both sides and on one side a small line is visible, marking the divide between the central block and the loop. The toggle survives in an excellent condition and the original surface appears to be in tact. The metal has a smooth almost shiny patina, typical of the fine tin-rich copper alloy that was used at the time this toggle was made. The metal is a mid greyish-green colour. It is likely that this toggle would have been used for fastening bags, clothes or straps. Similar toggle have been recorded onto the PAS database, database number: BERK-FA25F5 and SF-3326E3. These toggles are similar but not the same. A study of the literature produced no direct parallel. Other similar toggles can be seen in Jackson, 1990, p40, ref: 87.
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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