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Description: | Cast copper alloy pommel cap of early medieval / 7th - 9th century (600-850 AD) date. The pommel cap is of the 'cocked hat' type, being broadly sub-rectangular in plan and an irregular pyramid in profile. The pommel is incomplete; the two short sides are both broken and abraded. It is likely that these two points would have held small rivets to secure the pommel cap to the top of the knife / sword / dagger. The pommel is also hollow, the rear being concave and filled with the remains of iron tang. At the apex of the cap is a sub-rectangular slot which has a rim around the outer edge. Through this slot the remains of the iron tang of the blade fits; part of this is present terminating in a domed knop. The remains of the tang are better visible on the reverse; it seems likely the tang was sub-rectangular in section. Around the base of the pommel cap is a sub-rectangular shaped band or rim. The upper surface is corroded and possibly gilt, although most of this is now lost. Beneath the corrosion and abrasion it is possible to identify a series of geometric panels filled with interlocking curvi-linear spirals and designs, similar to that seen on Trewiddle style decoration. These are best seen on one face. The pommel cap measures 28.4mm length, 14.8mm width is 11.5mm high and made of metal which is 2.3mm thick. The concave area on the under side of the cap measures 27.2mm x 12.9mm and is 3.5mm deep. The pommel cap measures 10.6 grams.The pommel is a mid green colour with a light green abraded patina which covers all surfaces. The iron is a dark brown purple colour and has a patchy orange corrosion product present. Similar cocked hat type pommel caps are recorded in the Ashmolean Catalogue of Anglo Saxon Collections (pp 237-238); however a direct parallel has not been found. Similar style pommels are dated to the Middle Saxon period specifically the 7th - 9th centuries AD.
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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