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Description: | A complete but abraded and corroded cast copper alloy stirrup-strap mount of later early medieval date (1000 - 1100 AD). The stirrup strap mount is irregular in shape; being pentagonal in plan with a slight convex (domed) front and a concave rear face. The edges of the mount are slightly bevelled. In profile the mount is sub-rectangular (D Shaped) and curved due to design and movement in the ploughsoil. In cross section the mount is arched (C shaped). At the apex of the mount is positioned a central broken cast hole which shows evidence of wear. It has a diameter of 4.0mm. On the reverse of the lower edge is a prominent integral cast sub-rectangular slightly stepped flange which projects at right angles from the surface of the mount. This flange forms a projecting lip. Positioned above this lip are two further pierced or cast rivet holes, which show no signs of wear or corrosion. They also both have diameters of 3.3mm.The mount measures 51.5mm in length, 25.3mm width, and is 6.4mm thick across the flange and 3.4mm across the upper plate. It weighs 15.27 grams.The front face of the mount is decorated with two schemes; that on the body and that on the neck. The design on the body consists of a pattern inlaid with silver wire. This pattern has deteriorated and cannot now be understood, it seems to have both geometric patterns and more free flowing design. The surface of the mount is abraded and much worn and so the design is indistinct. The other design on the neck consists of a cast debased dragon like head; the eyes are picked out using silver wire inlay. The reverse of the mount is undecorated.The stirrup strap mount is a mid - light brown colour with an even but worn and abraded patina on all surfaces. Where abrasion has occurred a mid green coloured surface is present. There are also small areas on both the front and rear surfaces of active light green powdery copper corrosion. The abrasion is most likely to have been caused by movement in the plough soil; this has also resulted in a slight asymmetrical appearance in plan. There are also a series of transverse fractures in the metal surface.Similar stirrup strap mounts have been recorded by David Williams' 1997: Late Saxon Stirrup Mounts, which proposes a classification. This example fits into Williams' Group A Type 5. An example with silver inlaid wire can be seen in cat. No. 503.Sincere thanks are extended to David Williams for his comments on this example
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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