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Description: | A copper alloy object which may be a link from a chain, or a dress fastener similar to an S shaped belt fastener. It may also have been part of a cloak fastener or worked in a similar way to double hooked tags. The object is a bar which is circular in section. There is a triple collar in the centre. Both ends of the bar are bent round so the terminal almost rests on the bar. There is a single collar at each end where the bend begins, and a fancy terminal at each end. The terminals are in the form of three tiers of moulding, with the bar itself forming the bottom layer. There is a central vertical moulded line joining the three elements making the whole terminal look a little like a bundle of three sticks tied in the middle. It is not certain whether these terminals are intended to represent animal heads. They have a certain zoomorphic style to them, but no eyes or ears have been detailed. They work just as well as non zoomorphic decorative terminals. The loop at one end of the bar has been bent further, probably post-depositionally. This means that the terminal bends down past the bar, and the single collar is on the bent part of the metal rather than just at the start of the bend. The object has a shiny brown green patina with traces of silvering. It is 37.58mm long, 11.88mm wide and 3.36mm thick. It weighs 4.47g. Dating this object is difficult. If the terminals are intended to be zoomorphic, a medieval date probably in the 12th century is likely. However, as a more abstract design, the object would not be out of place with a 16th or 17th century date, and the feel of the object makes the later option seems more likely. A close parallel has not been found though, so it is impossible to be certain of date or function.
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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