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Description: | Incomplete fragment of copper alloy armorial brooch / harness furniture / fastener dating to the Medieval period (1250 - 1400). The brooch is in two parts and is irregular in plan and cross section. The front plate of the brooch is incomplete. The overall design in plan is that of three conjoined circles set in an irregular triangle, with two circular elements beneath and one set centrally above. From the middle of the two lower circles two curvi-linear arms project. These arms connect with the edge of the central circle above and then turn to form a shallow angular (swan neck like) curve. The left arm is broken, however the right arm terminates in an expanded flattened knop which has been pierced with a circular hole. This part of the arm has been twisted through 45° probably by movement in the plough soil. It is likely that the broken left arm would be similar to that described for the right. Through the small pierced hole the second element of the armorial brooch projects. This element consists of an irregular expanding and tapering bar with a rounded knop like terminal at one end and a flattened circular terminal at the other. This flattened terminal passes through the pierced front plate. The bar measures 43.9mm length and has a maximum diameter of 7.4mm. The front plate measures 71.9mm length, 31.3mm width, is a 5.2mm thick. The entire brooch weighs 30.61 grams. The front face of the armorial brooch has a very simple design which may have originally been enamelled. However, almost the whole brooch has suffered from significant levels of corrosion and abrasion which has removed any enamelled or applied surfaces. The central design (outlined above) consists of three conjoined circles. It is likely that these circles may have once been enamelled. Evidence for this are shallow recessed circular panels, however it is possible that these may be a result of the irregular corrosion. The small areas of patina which survives also suggest that the brooch may have once been gilded. The rear face of the brooch is flat and undecorated, as is the tapering bar. The surface of the brooch is a mid greenish brown colour and is heavily pitted. Very little original patina survives. The broken arm (mentioned above) is probably due to movement in the plough soil. The break is relatively fresh and unworn. All the edges of the brooch are abraded and distorted. Parallels for this brooch like fitting have been difficult to find. Similar armorial brooches have been recorded by Frank Basford (FLO for the Isle of Wight) and Anna Marshall (FLO Yorkshire). Similar brooches can be seen in Nick Griffiths Finds Datasheet 12 'Shield Shaped Mounts' figure 5 and 6 which were found at Baynards Castle London. A passing reference to this form of brooch can be seen in Clarks's Medieval Horse at its equipment p70. All of these have been dated to the late 13th and 14th centuries AD because of their similarities with similar shield shaped harness pendants. Thanks are extended to Chris Marshall and Geoff Egan for their help in identifying this unusual artefact and providing useful parallels.
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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