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Description: | One loop of a Medieval cast copper alloy swivel with two strap ends attached. The swivel component has an oval loop (circular in cross section in the centre) with stylised animal heads at both ends gripping a domed boss in their mouths. The animal heads have large pointed oval eyes; deeply recessed ear holes and indented triangles on each side showing the open jaws. From the flat base of the boss projects a circular sectioned rod with a slightly expanded end.Attached to the loop are two strap ends both have trapezoid front and back plates with slightly concave, wider upper edges and straight sides; one plate is broken across with an irregular crack. At the base they have a raised transverse collar on both sides and below this projects a narrow loop joining the front and back plates and encircling the swivel loop. The front and back plates are also joined by a pair of separate copper alloy rivets in the corners of the upper (attachment) end. It is 29.2mm in total length, 42.8mm wide and 11.6mm thick; it weighs 20.5 grams.Swivel fittings are not uncommon finds with a range of styles and forms; they date in the main form 1100-1400 AD. The simplest type has two loops, one with a projecting bar, the other with a hole through a plate and this may have been of that form; see SF-CA5816 for example. The stylised animal heads gripping the central dome are typical. This example is unusual in having strap ends still attached. The form of the strap ends is also unusual and not paralleled in the usual sources.
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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