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Description: | A cast copper alloy harness pendant and hanger of Medieval date (13th to 14th Centuries AD).The harness pendant consists of an abraded convex oval design, with central piercing. No traces of enamel are present on the surface of the pendant. From examination of the surface, it is possible that the external surface was divided up into six equal sections, with a horizontal divison between top and bottom sections.The pendant measures 38.39mm in length, 25.60mm width and 6.46mm thick. The metal is 0.70mm thick. It weighs 3.8 grams.The hanger consists of a partially complete sub circular shape with side projections. The upper portion of the hanger is missing, presumed lost in antiquity. The external surface bears traces of a divided circle style decoration as well, with the remains of an incised star (three lines intercepting at the central point) at approximately the central point. No traces of enamel are present. Two suspension loops are present at the base of the circle. The remains of a copper alloy pin are still present in one of the suspension loops. This pin would have formed the method of attachment of the pendant to the hanger.The hanger is 27.56mm long, 27.95mm wide and 4.81mm thick. The metal is 0.77mm thick. It weighs 3.6 grams.Together the harness hanger and pendant weigh 7.4 grams.The pendant and the hanger are a dark brown colour, with irregular patches of green. Both the pendant and the hanger exhibits signs of severe abrasion with the loss of the original surface and that of the patina which results from the oxidation of copper alloy.Harness pendants and hangers are common medieval finds, however a direct comparative example has not been located for this particular design.
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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