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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy elaborate strap end of later Medieval date (circa AD 1390 - AD 1410). Length: 40.16 mm; width: 22.81 mm and 6.34 mm thick. Weight: 12.8 g.The strap end is cast in one piece and the hollow attachment end is trapezoidal in plan. The strap end terminates in an elaborate terminal with apparent leaf decoration.This terminal is damaged. The attachment end has a rectangular incised field containing incised lettering. The letters are somewhat difficult to discern but it seems most likely that they are a blundered or poorly executed variation of IHS, an abbreviation of Jesus in latin, and a common inscription on medieval dress accessories. A similar rendtion of these letters can be seen on a belt mount illustrated in Ward Perkins, J, B, 1940, 'London Museum Medieval Catalogue'. See pages: 269-70, fig. 85, ref. no. 2.The strap end has two rivet holes at the top for attachment of the strap, and these are now filled with ferrous corrosion. The strap end has an abraded and corroded dark green patina with possible slight remains of gilding. Ward Perkins states that these decorative strap ends represent 'the final elaboration of the 13th-14th century belt-chape. Soon after 1400 a new form of narrow sword belt came into use; and civilian belts with pendant tags went temporarily out of fashion' (Ward Perkins 1940, page 68).
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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