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Description: | Post Medieval book clasp of 16th century date. The backplate of the clasp is incomplete, with only a small square piece of sheet copper alloy surviving. There appears to be a very small piece of preserved leather between the two clasp plates. The upper plate is sub-rectangular with one terminal expanding outward to form a triangle, and the other terminal has a central hook. The two plates are riveted together by a single iron rivet (now corroded) at the expanded terminal. The upper surface is decorated with three rows of pellets towards the hooked end, the inner row of pellets being smaller than the outer rows. There is a geometric design at the centre of the plate, comprised of a circle with 5 lines radiating out from the centre. The edge of the circle is bordered by alternating triangles and semi-circles. There is a further row of large pellets next to a triangular design that points towards the expanded terminal. The iron corrosion from the rivet has obscured the detail of the triangular motif. The reverse of the clasp plate is plain and undecorated. It has a dull dark brown-red patina and the surface is worn. The clasp is 40.34mm long, 15.89mm wide, 3.91mm thick and weighs 3.22 grams.
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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