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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy strap end of early-medieval date. The strap end is of Thomas' Class A, Type 1 with zoomorphic terminal and Trewhiddle decoration. The strap end is a pointed oval in shape with a zoomorphic terminal at the closed end and a slightly concaved open terminal at the attachment end. The strap end is cast in one piece but the attachment end is split into an upper and lower plate to allow the strap material to be fitted. Two rivets for attachment are present at the open end of the plate between which is an inverted fan shaped field with internal foliate design. The zoomorphic terminal is in the form of a forward facing animal head with prominent rounded eyes and snub snout. Wavering lines above the eyes may represent ears.The resultant sub-rectangular field between these two decorative elements is extremely worn and any decoration is now indeterminable. The decorative field is set within a border of sub-rectangular raised cells.The reverse is flat and undecorated.The metal has a dark brownish-green patina and is in fair condition. The strap end is 39.3mm long, 12.3mm wide, 5.7mm thick and weighs 6.3g.Late Anglo Saxon and Viking strap ends have been classified into several types by Thomas with this example fitting into Thomas' Class A, Type 1 dating broadly from the 9th century.
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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