|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete cast copper-alloy bridle fitting or harness link of Early-Medieval date. One terminal, the shaft and central boss survive intact, the opposite terminal now incomplete due to old breaks. The surviving terminal is lozenge shaped in plan with a central circular perforation and projecting globular knops at each exterior corner. From the inner edge of the terminal extends a rectangular shaft that is D-shaped in section with rounded front face. At the centre of the shaft is a moulded boss that is approximately rectangular in form. This comprises a central vertical rectangular projection decorated on its front face with an incised central groove. Beneath this is a transverse semi-circular moulding with prominent oval shaped centre, followed by small rectangular projections from either side of the base of the boss. It is possible this is intended to be a stylised zoomorphic motif, although this remains uncertain. From the opposite side of the boss extends a further short length of shaft followed by and incomplete second terminal that is of uncertain form due to old breaks. This object measures 57.71mm in length, 15.12mm in width at central boss, 20.26mm in surviving width at terminal, 8.67mm in width at shaft, 7.18mm in thickness at central boss, and weighs 18.79g.This is an incomplete double-ended bridle fitting of later Early-Medieval date. Similar examples are recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (see for example SF-F8CCA3, SF-F8B0A2, SF-D91911, SF-ADC0F3, SF-DE96A5, SF-457AB1, WMID-6AAED1), including another examples recorded through Suffolk with zoomorphic central boss (SF-E1D374). These objects have been studied by D. Williams, who suggests their possible use as harness links dating to the 11th century AD (see Williams, 2007).
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
|