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Description: | A small cast copper-alloy artefact of uncertain function and date: possibly a medieval strap-end dating from c. AD1200-1500. The object is formed of a solid sphere with what would have been two trapezoidal protrusions which flare out in a 'V' shape (one of them is broken off and now missing). Both protruding elements would have been perforated with holes countersunk externally to take an attaching rivet. The protrusions would have formed a split end characteristic of a strap-end, although in this piece they seemed to diverge in a way more dramatic than a conventional strap-end. The sphere is decorated with at least five knopped protrusions: one at the base opposite the attachment end, and four round the centre, equally spaced and aligned with either the centre of one of the elements of the split end or with the centre of the gap betwen them. The overall appearance for this rather heavy 'strap-end' is of a mace head. Not dissimilar decoration can be seen on an unidentified object excavated in Exeter (Allan 1984, 346, 348; ref. 228) from a 16th-century context. A drawing of a probable parallel was published in the 'Searcher' (Issue 183, November 2000, 25; ref. 183/2), showing that this is a known object type rather than a one-off.Robert Webley, Hampshire FLO recorded a very similar yet more complete one as HAMP-CA2397 and we are very grateful for his help with this artefact's identification.
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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