|
Date: |
|
Description: | Fragment of copper alloy stirrup of a 13th/14th century type, patinated but very dark in colour, almost black. This dark surface has been scratched through to reveal the coppery colour beneath, for decoration. The fragment consists of the top of the stirrup and conceals the loop to which the strap would have attached behind an integral plate. An arm extends to create the stirrup on either side of the loop and integral plate, but is broken (recent-ish break) high up, quite close to the plate.The integral plate is rectangular in shape, measuring 51.2x31mm. The lower edge has a lip projecting forward 2.5mm. It is decorated with grooved lines in the form of a crown, with a fleur de lys at the centre and half on either side. These are decorated with punches forming a line down the centre of each. Equidistant between the lys the crown forms a triangular point. Decorating the band of the crown is a diamond shape beneath the central lys, a triangular shape beneath the other lys, and underneath the triangular points, an oval shape. The opposite side of the band is seen beneath this and decorated with cross hatch. The crown lies on a background of incised lines and the 'central' part of each half lys extends into the corners of the rectangle, giving them a slight curvature. The central part of the centre lys extends slightly above the line of the background.The coppery colour shows through on the background and on the 'jewels' along the crown's band. This decoration would have been executed after the cross-hatching and other decorative grooves. The coppery colour is also apparant in the crease of the lip.Behind the plate and at 90° to it the oval-sectioned arms extend, 9.5mm wide and decorated on both arms with a ?tree, created by three connecting oval leaf shapes with incised lines at their centres and below a triangular 'trunk' with an inverted 'V' inside, before the break.These arms connect to the loop which is roughly rectangular in section, although it is angular on one side and rounded on the other. It is 8.3mm thick and 6.9mm wide.The reverse also has the dark patination. It is likely linseed oil was applied to the surface which was then heated, and it was through this coating you could scratch to reveal the copper alloy below. Nick Griffiths comments 'I have seen 15th century bronzes made to look black in this way, although the style of the crown suggests a 13th century date'.Measures 62.8x40.6mm and weighs 70.88g.The parish of Wootton Bassett includes the Royal hunting ground of Vastern, used by Norman and medieval kings. This object has been beautifully crafted which may indicate some connection with the royal hunting parties in the 13th century.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
stirrup
Fragment of copper alloy stirrup…
-
STIRRUP
A cast copper-alloy medieval stirrup,…
-
STIRRUP
A fragment of Medieval (1200-1500)…
-
BUCKLE
A cast copper-alloy buckle of…
-
-
-
-
MOUNT
Medieval copper alloy openwork and…
-
HOOKED TAG
A cast copper-alloy Post-Medieval hooked…
-
HOOKED TAG
An incomplete cast copper-alloy Post-Medieval…
|