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Description: | A sheet copper-alloy mount, length 37mm, width 34mm, thickness 1mm weight 4.38g. Only a fragment of the original mount remains. The surface is highly decorated and shows two roundels with birds in the centre. The bird in the left roundel faces left with its wings folded, it possibly holds a branch in one of its claws, below and above the animal are triangular objects, these could have been shields. The bird in the right roundel faces right and has its wings outstretched above its back, above is a circular object. Separating the two roundels is a six pointed star at the base and a sub-triangular object above. Below the two roundels is a central projection, this has a large rivet hole (4.5mm diameter), this is surrounded by a third roundel. All of the decoration is in relief. The surface is heavily corroded and it is impossible to determine whether or not it was gilt or enamelled.Roundels with beasts and other heraldic devices were used throughout the Medieval Period, but were much more common in the 12-13th century. In Gloucester a number of decorative bone and antler gaming pieces were excavated in the ground of the Norman castle (Stewart. and Watkins, 1984, 185-186). Each show a figure set within a roundel and was thought to date to the late 11th-early 12th century (Stewart. and Watkins, 1984, 186). These are also seen in church arcetecture such as the carvings at the Cathedral dedicated to St. Lazarus at Autun, Burgundy which are dated to the mid 12th century http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/autun-cathedral (accessed 22/07/11). This could have been a mount from a reliquary, and the birds could be depicting doves. This object dates to the 12th century.Stewart, I. and Watkins, M., 1984. 'An 11th century bone tabula set from Gloucester', Medieval Archaeology 28, 185-90Stewart, I. and Watkins, M., 1984. 'An 11th century bone tabula set from Gloucester', Medieval Archaeology 28, 185-90
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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