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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy heraldic horse harness pendant with gilding and enamel, dating from the 13th/ 14th century, between AD 1250 - 1350 (length: 43mm; width: 26.5mm; thickness at suspension loop: 4.5mm; weight: 12.4g).The pendant is shield shaped in plan [Type I, as classified by Ward Perkins, J, B, 1940, 'London Museum Medieval Catalogue', page 118, fig 38] and flat in side section. At the top of the artefact, there is an incomplete and integral sub-circular suspension loop (length: 9mm; width: 4.5mm; thickness/ depth: 4.5mm) set at a 90° angle to the main body of the pendant (half of which still remains). There is a slight border around the outside edge (thickness: 1mm), which surrounds a slightly recessed area inside to hold the remains of blue enamel, much of which still survives. The enamel itself encompasses a gilt 'lion rampant queue forchee' [forked tail] facing left with the two front paws and one back paw outstretched in front with the other back paw below. The lion's mouth is open and both forked terminals of the tail curve over to the left side behind the beast. Additionally, there are gilt remains on the border and suspension loop of the artefact. The back of the harness pendant is flat and undecorated. Overall, the artefact is in a worn but fair condition with a patchy light green/ brown patina.Similar examples are illustrated in Ashley, S, 2002, 'East Anglian Archaeology 101: Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk', pages 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 36 & 37; figs 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, ref nos 61, 71, 72, 73, 75, 140, 141, 146 & 161, particularly ref no 71, which was found at Sporle with Palgrove in Norfolk, and also has a forked tail.Ward Perkins also states on p. 118 that pendants 'were attached to the harness in several ways. Usually they swing from a fitting which was attached direct to the leather straps. This may consist of a horizontal bar with a downward projection for the attachment of the pendant....Pendants were also worn from the strap across the horse's forehead.'
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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