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Description: | A copper-alloy book clasp. The clasp is rectangular in shape and measures 41.9 mm long and 16 mm wide. It is 1.2 mm thick. At one end the clasp terminates with a curved hook for attachment to a hasp to secure the book closed. The clasp has a rivet hole (2.6 mm in diameter) in the centre at its rear end. The rear terminates with a flared and feathered end. The rivet hole is bordered by two circles in relief and one depressed. From the rear end each edge is bordered by zig zag decoration for approximately two thirds of the length of the clasp, until it meets elaborate geometric and floral decoration at the end with the hook. It is possible that the clasp was originally treated with gilt, but if this was the case none of it survives. The reverse of the clasp is unadorned.
Some similar examples of clasps are illustrated in Bailey's 'Detector Finds' (1992, 72-73; especially figs 8, 11 & 12). These finds are given a broad date range, from the 15th to 17th century, and a late medieval to early post-medieval date would seem consistent with the floral decoration on this example. More securely dated examples are illustrated in Ottaway and Rogers 'Finds from Medieval York' (2002, 2937; 14478-15234) which were recovered from 15th and 16th century contexts, although the parallels are less close to this example than those illustrated in Bailey. | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 1400
1600 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Tom Brindle | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
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