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Description: | A slightly corroded elaborate cast copper-alloy object: a strap-fitting possibly relating to a medieval sword-belt hook. The broadly U-shaped object has a hook at one end and a loop at the other. The loop's sub-rectangular slot was presumably for a leather strap. After the curve the other part of the strap-fitting straightens, becoming parallel with the loop. It ends by turning through ninety degrees to face the loop, albeit just above. The outer surface of the other part is bevelled along its length and through the curve. It is decorated with two transverse ridges at the widest point of the curve, and another as it straightens. The parallel section is decorated with a raised section with two ridges located at either end forming a concave sub-oval, reminiscent of a thumb rest (W.: 12.6mm), that protrudes slightly to each side. On other examples, quoted below, this seems to represent a shield, sometimes bearing arms. There are three nested, shallowly pointed mouldings leading towards the terminal which is taken to be a zoomorph, perhaps a dragon. The ears are grooves; there is a further pair of small longitudinal grooves between the ears. There is a double brow ridge with groove between. The snout is seemingly bevelled and curves up at the tip. A large groove at the sides at front represents the mouth. For comparable published examples see Read (2008, 214-215; refs. 771-773). The artefact has been bent slightly and has a mid-green or mid-brown patina in different zones; in places the patina is missing and the mid-green metal is evident.
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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