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Date: |
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Description: | A copper-alloy artefact, dating from the Medieval period and probably representing part of a hinged strap fitting.The upper element of the artefact consists of two parallel plates of equal shape, with a gap between for the now-missing strap. The upper plate appears to take the form of a flower head, with two truncated (at their bases) oval petals angling outwards at the top, revealing the top of a third, central petal. The slightly convex surfaces of the flower head are decorated with a series of parallel lines of gilding, the angles of which correspond with those of the individual petals. The tip of each petal is surmounted by a loop, into which the now-missing rivets would originally have fitted. The circular central loop on the upper plate survives intact, whereas the two flanking loops are incomplete. The undecorated back plate retains none of its loops, but the form of the top side suggests that they did once exist. Both plates spring from an integrally cast cuboid at their base. The upper surface of this block contains a horizontal line of nine equal-sized circular settings, some of which retain parts of blue glass insets. Two transversely pierced lugs project downwards at 90 degrees from the underside of the block. These lugs are located approximately one third of the way in from the right- and left-hand ends respectively. The left-hand lug has been worn through at its base; that on the right is also heavily worn. The corroded artefact measures 34mm long, 27.5mm wide, 7.1mm thick and weighs 14.5g.No parallel could be found for this piece. It's general form does, however, suggest a Medieval date. Dr. Helen Geake (pers. comm.) suggests that the use of the glass insets points towards the possible influence of the Limoges metalwork industry.
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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