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Description: | A cast copper-alloy artefact of 11th-century date, probably a strap fitting. The object is a ring with a thick hoop and convex oval bezel. The oval head (17.95 x 14.35mm x 4.8mm thick) is not quite perpendicular to the hoop, but at a slight angle. It is decorated with four triangular grooves arranged in saltire, but not meeting at the centre.The artefact is difficult to parallel, but has affinities with the group of late Anglo-Saxon or Anglo-Scandinavian 'socketed hooks' (see, for example, LIN-F29FC4 and BUC-1C1BB6). One has been published, a so-called 'hooked mount' illustrated in Read (2001, 8; ref. 39). Socketed hooks share with this object a similar oval bezel, decorated in the same manner. Further, the object is related to an incomplete artefact found in the vicinity with a similar terminal loop (HAMP-5D2084). Another similar item has been recorded at SUR-552D78. It might be that these objects are strap junctions/fittings.The red-brown colour to which this object has corroded suggests a late early-medieval date for the object (c. 11th century AD). This would be consistent with objects found in the vicinity, and with the Ringerike-style engraving found on the similar socketed hooks.
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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