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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy strap fitting (strap union, harness link) of Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian) date (1000-1100). The strap fitting is decorated with a chip carved design in the 'Jelling' style. It is irregular in plan and broadly D shaped in cross section. Originally it consisted of a central decorated plate from which two horizontal arms projected. Only the plate and a part of one of the arms now survives. The two projecting arms would terminate in lozenge (diamond) shaped terminals which were pierced to form strap junctions. The extant arm is broken across this cast hole. The arm is a narrow D shaped bar with no evidence of a cast or moulded collar or other decoration. The other arm is broken flush with the central plate. The reverse of the plate is plain and undecorated. There are several shallow concave depressions present - these are probably a result of casting. The central plate is broadly sub rectangular in shape with a cast design consisting of a dog or beast facing left looking back over its shoulder. The projecting bars extend from the centre of the chest and from the rear of the figure. The two legs of the beast are joined by a slight bar with a D shaped cross section. This created a D shaped strap fitting (internal measurement 12.4mm x 5.6mm) between the legs and belly of the beast. A further cast hole (diameter 5.4mm) is present behind the neck of the beast. It is not worn and so maybe decorative rather than functional. The beast if further decorated with a series of incised / chip carved lines which depict eye, mouth, neck flanks and back. Some of these lines are interlocking in design. The overall fitting measures 44.5mm in length, 28.2mm width, is 4.4mm thick, and weighs 14.19 grams. The fitting is a mid - dark green colour with an even worn polished patina on all surfaces. Some abrasion has resulted in an asymmetrical appearance in plan. There are no areas of active light green corrosion present. All breaks are old and patinated. Similar Anglo-Scandinavian harness fittings have been published by David Williams in a Finds Research Group datasheet 37, which suggests the dating of these is to the early medieval period 1000-1200 and stylistically is part of the Anglo-Scandinavian metalworking tradition. David Williams has suggested that this example is unusual for a British context, and has suggested a direct parallel with an example from Sweden published by Anne Pedersen's in Riding Gear from Late Viking-Age Denmark (Jo Danish Archaeol, 13, 1996-7, pp133-160). This example is "A copper-alloy mount from Lund in southern Sweden has been interpreted as yet another version of decorated cheek-piece. It has an eye at either end but instead of the central boss typical of strap links it is decorated with an animal figure. The back-turned animal's head forms a hole above the animal's back and a strap fixture corresponding to the eye on the animal-head cheek-pieces joins the two legs. The hole is placed slightly off the central axis of the object and the diameter, only 5mm, appears too small for a mouth-piece when compared with the cheek-pieces. The object therefore is most likely a decorative strap-link with a fixture for a third strap-end. The archaeological context gives an approximate date of AD1020-1050". A similar more ornately decorated strap link, with a stylised rearward facing beast has been recorded by Kevin Leahy; this example was found at Saxiby, Lincs and is published in The Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Lindsey Fig. 75. Sincere thanks are extended to David Williams and Kevin Leahy.
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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