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Description: | An almost complete but worn cast copper alloy Early Medieval/Anglo-Scandinavian strap end of Thomas' Class G. The strap end has a zoomorphic animal head terminal with flat lower plate that is set at right angles to the plane of the attachment end. The split attachment end is sub-rectangular in plan, tapering towards the terminal end. There is a cylindrical copper alloy rivet that pierces both upper and lower plates. The attachment end terminates at its base with worn zoomorphic moulded decoration. The lower plate is set at right angles to the plane of the attachment end, and if viewed from above appears to depict flames extending from the open mouth of the beast, suggesting this is a dragon or similar creature. The flat plate itself is sub-triangular in plan with a moulded outer edge, tapering to a rounded terminal projection which is damaged. It has incised decoration that is worn and unclear. On the right hand side the exterior edge of the plate is moulded almost to resemble the head of a second creature. The back face of the plate is flat and probably undecorated but the metal is corroded.This strap end is of Early Medieval date and demonstrates Anglo-Scandinavian influence. It finds its closest parallel with Thomas' Class G strap ends that are described as a small sub-group with an animal head terminal that has an open mouth often displayed at 90 degrees to the plane of the strap end (Thomas, 2003: pp. 6). According to Thomas, this type of strap end is diagnostic of the Late Ringerike and Urness styles of metalwork and should therefore date to the 11th century AD (Thomas, 2003: pp. 6). It has a length of 55.09mm, width 19.97mm, thickness 3.17mm, weight 12.78g. A close parallel with more detail surviving is SF-E825A7.
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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STRAP END
A copper alloy Early Medieval/Anglo-Scandinavian…
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