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Description: | A cast copper alloy suspension harness mount of medieval, 14th century date.The mount consists of two sub-rectangular loops with an extension at one end. Viewed from the side, each loop measures approximately 20mm x 10mm. Both loops are sub-rectangular in cross-section. The loops are joined by a central bridge which forms an elongated oval-shape when viewed from above. This part is pierced at the centre with a circular perforation. The perforation formerly accommodated a rotating stem that held a banner or pendant at its outer end.The extension has a length of about 21.2 mm, a maximum width of 8 mm and a maximum thickness of 3.62 mm. There is a moulded collar 6.9 mm from where the extension emerges from one of the rectangular loops, with a drop-shaped knop extending beyond the collar. The middle of the knop has an off-centre circular perforation. At the end of the knop is a small shank.The piece suffers from some corrosion and there is damage at the base. The surface colour of the metal is a dull purple brown, with areas of bright green copper corrosion. Unlike other recorded examples, there is no evidence for gilding on this find.Two similar mounts are illustrated in Read's 'Metal Artefacts of Antiquity' (2001, pp. 47, 51, nos. 398-9). Griffiths (1986, 'Finds Research Group Datasheet 5', p. 2, refs. 22-24) also recognises these objects as being associated with harness mounts. See also: Ward Perkins 1941, 'London Museum Medieval Catalogue' 120, fig. 40, ref. no. 2. Similar artefacts have been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see NCL-DCE051; IOW-C58611; SOMDOR-039B12; WILT-7E7344; NMS-FBEF46; NMS-F35E23 and NMS-2F0861. A rotating arm that supported banners or pendants has survived on a more complete example (NMS-7C7611).
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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