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Description: | An incomplete copper-alloy button-and-loop fastener of Roman date.The head is circular in plan and has a convex upper surface set with an enamelled design. At the centre of this design is a circular arrangement of four inward-pointing triangular cells containing blue enamel. A short distance in from the outer edge of the head is a ring of red enamel-filled cells. Each of these cells has a roughly trapezoidal body, a projecting point at the centre of its upper side, and two shorter points, one projecting from each of the top corners. The right-angled frame extends from above the centre point of the head's flat underside. The remaining portion of the frame is 'V-shaped', indicating that the original form was probably an inverted drop-shape.The artefact has a dark green patination and is slightly corroded. Most of the enamel survives. The piece measures 30.9mm long, 21.5mm wide (diameter of head) and 8.8mm thick. The weight is 7.05g.Button-and-loop fasteners are discussed by Wild (1970: 137-155), who suggests that they are items of military equipment (Wild: 146). Examples of this particular form of fastener, Wild Class Vb, with enamelled circular heads, have been found on Hadrian's Wall and at Caerleon Roman fort. They are considered to be a product of the 2nd century northern school of enamellers (Wild: 140).
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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