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Description: | A cast copper alloy two-part swivelling strap fitting. The two components are dissimilar.One component (the receiving component) comprises a loop with a circular aperture. The frame of this loop consists of a pair of animal heads each of which looks down. These two heads have a rounded forehead and snout a pair of prominent ears. The body of this component is of rounded conical form. Arranged regularly around the body are four lozenges each of which stands proud of the surface of the cone and each of which is framed by four groups or bands of short lines. Each lozenge is further decorated with five punched pits.The other component comprises a loop with a rounded triangular aperture. Either side of the aperture is an animal head which faces away from the rounded cone which forms the body. These heads are similar to the opposing pair but have a groove to indicate the mouth. They appear to be gripping a linking bar which forms the outer part of the frame. A prominent collar forms the junction between the loop and the cone; the latter has been left plain.This fitting gives the impression of its having been formed of two non-matching components. This impression is given extra weight by the different patinas of the two components which suggests they are composed of differing alloys.Dating is difficult. The heads are not clearly of Anglo-Scandinavian inspiration but do not have the details which might suggest a later medieval date. A 12th/13th century date is offered.
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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