|
Date: |
|
Description: | A slightly corroded cast copper-alloy post-medieval sword-belt fitting. This strap-fitting consist of a mount with three suspension loops from which hang a trio of hooked plates; the scabbard straps would have been attached to these plates. The ensemble features foliate decoration on their visible faces. Such fittings are rarely found complete, rather elements or broken examples are far more common. However, an illustration of another complete sword-belt fitting can be found in Read (2001, 43; ref. 373).The suspension mount measures 68.15mm in length by 19.7mm in width at its trefoil terminals. It has the appearance of two conjoined, slightly overlapping hooked plates (see description below) with concomitant foliate decoration. Corroded iron rivets survive in all three perforations: one in the centre and one at each of the two terminals. In profile the mount is shallowly curved. The three integral loops depend from the mount (L.: c. 13.5mm, W.: c. 10.5mm, Int. dia.: c. 5.9mm), each with a hooked plate in situ.The hooked plates are all sub-triangular in plan and very slightly convex with a flat lower face. The tip of the hook is flush to the stem, thus holding it in place. The plates are c. 47mm to c. 49mm in length. On that on the right when viewing the ensemble with decoration uppermost, from the hook (W.: 4.25mm) the plate flares out to a width of 16.0mm. Aligned with the base of these side protrusions is a central circular rivet perforation retaining a corroded iron rivet; on the lower surface the hole is recessed. Below, the object narrows to a waist 9.4mm wide beyond these protrusions, before widening again to 17.3mm, 13.3mm from the terminal. Below these latter protrusions, and above the trefoil terminal, is another waist at which the plate narrows to 9.1mm. At the beginning of the trefoil is an off-centre perforation surrounded by traces of iron corrosion product on both surfaces; again the hole is recessed on the lower face. As implied above, the reverse is plain; the front, visible, face features an elaborate scrolled foliage pattern, split down the longitudinal axis, with incised fronds trailing towards the edges. The object now has a largely mid/dark-green patina with traces lighter corrosion product and the orange of the iron rivet. The reverse face also features possible tinning or solder residue.Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). Their design and decoration are relatively standardised, as can be seen in those recorded on this database, including this Hampshire example: HAMP-3DF447.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
|