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Description: | Dimensions: length 84.5mm; maximum width of plate 13.8mm; height 15.1mm; diameter rounded terminals 14.5-14.7mm; dimensions of aperture 24.7 by 8.0mm; maximum thickness of back-plate 4.3mm; maximum thickness of front plate (decorated) 3.3mm; decorative field 28.0 by 13.8mmSurviving weight 61.1g.This is a near complete cast copper alloy harness fitting known as a toggle or cheek-piece. The mid-section, approximately 33mm long, is flattened and rectangular in section and has a decorated upper face and plain back surface. In side-section, a rectangular aperture or slot, 24.7mm long by 8.0mm wide continues through the mid-section and at right angles to the axis of the toggle. Either side of the mid-section are waisted and then flaring terminals of circular cross-section, each approximately 21.0mm long before rising to convex, dome-shaped terminals (each about 4-5mm high). The sides of the domes show fluting as a surface decorative technique. At the centre of each dome are circular recesses approximately 4.5mm in diameter, possibly originally to take enamel insets. At the centre of each recess is a small circular projection of copper alloy (1mm in diameter).The decorative recess on the upper face of the toggle has raised narrow copper alloy borders, with recesses around 1mm deep to take polychrome enamels. Dark blue enamel survives in four of ten recesses, however recesses once carrying one or two different colours, possibly red or yellow, are now empty, the enamel having seemingly completely decayed. At the centre of the decorative design is a square zone (11.7-12.0mm in size), with two projecting borders running diagonally across the middle, forming a sinuous cross and defining four enamel recesses. Two opposing recesses contain blue enamel, while the other alternate pair are now empty. Bordering this sinuous cross design are two narrower rectangular geometric zones (each 8.0mm wide by 12.0mm long), each comprising three rectangular recesses. These have long axes parallel with the long axis of the toggle. In each, the central recess contains blue enamel, while the remaining two side recesses are now apparently empty.Some areas of original surface survive, with a brown patina. However approximately one third of the surface is eroded with a green-brown surface colouration. Little original surface survives on the domed and fluted terminal ends, and patches of erosion are evident over both waisted and fluted sections and the flattened mid-section surfaces.The toggle or cheek-piece is of early Roman date, though of recognised Native or Late Iron Age form and inspiration. The use of polychrome enamel and the fluting on the terminal bosses are later Romanising elements, suggesting a date of manufacture certainly between AD 50-150 and probably between AD 60-120. Around 30 examples of toggles are currently known. This is only the fourth example known from Wales with other examples only recently being discovered and reported from Maescar, near Sennybridge (Gwilt & Besly, 2008, 223, Entry. 1225) and Brecon in Powys (Lodwick pers. comm. PAS: NMGW-2362B2 ) and near St Brides Major in the Vale of Glamorgan (Lodwick, pers. comm. NMWPA 2009.101). This newly discovered example from Langstone is unique in its precise form and decoration.
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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