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Description: | Adjoining cast copper-alloy and iron probable harness or leash fittings, dating from the medieval period. The find consists of a copper-alloy and iron swivel and two corroded iron fittings, all of which are attached to an oval copper-alloy link. It is probable that these fittings were attached to a harness or leash, fragments of which survive within the iron fittings. The find has a total mass of 30.8g. The elements of the find are described individually.The copper-alloy link is oval in plan with a circular section. Length 43.7mm, width: 28.4mm; thickness: 3.9mm. It has a well developed green patina.The swivel consists of two adjoining loops. One loop is copper-alloy and the other loop is iron. Total length: 42.4mm. The copper alloy loop of the swivel is broadly D-shaped in plan, with a sub-circular almost D-shaped section. Length: 23mm; width: 27.2mm. There are two zoomorphic terminals on the loop, beween which is an integral circular plate. The iron loop is attached to this, which must therefore be perforated. The zoomorphic terminals, possibly representing dogs' heads, have prominent ears, a distinct brow and a snout. The copper-alloy loop of the swivel has a well developed green patina. It is similar to object NCL-8421E8 from Catterick, North Yorkshire recorded on the PAS database. The iron element of the swivel consists of a sub-circular loop which is attached to the oval copper alloy link, and a projection which is attached to the copper alloy loop of the swivel. Length: 33.1mm; width: 15.7mm. It is heavily corroded. The other two iron attachments which also adjoin the copper alloy link are heavily corroded but both have a similar sub-circular loop. The longer (more complete?) of the two (length: 32.5mm; width: 17.0mm; thickness: 10.4mm) appears to have two plates attached to the loop, between which there is the remains of a strap or similar. The shorter (?less complete) iron attachment (length: 22.0mm; width: 16.7mm; thickness: 7.5mm) appears similar where extant.In, "The Medieval Household", Egan (1998, p.296) points to possible uses of swivels as leads for pets and also to suspend cooking pots over the fire. Egan (ibid. and figure 225) suggests that copper-alloy chain swivel reference 970 (dated to c.1350-c.1400) may be from a lead for a pet such as a dog, as this would seem a more appropriate use of a copper alloy swivel than the suspension of a cooking pot. Such an application is also possible for the medieval possible harness of leash fittings recorded here.
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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