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Description: | A small silver book fitting, clasp, of Medieval 14th to 15th century AD date. The clasp comprises of two sheets of silver. The upper sheet has two folds forming the upper surface and two sides of a rectangular box with a circular terminus. The lower surface of the rectangular box and circular terminus is formed of a flat sheet. The upper and lower parts have been riveted together with the remains of a strap surviving between. The box is 12.66mm in length, 8.31mm wide and 3.04mm thick, which is also the maximum thickness of the whole object. The open end of the box reveals that the sheet metal is approximately 0.4mm in thickness and that a fragment of leather survives within the box. A rivet is present at the open end of the rectangular box. The rivet is almost flush with the metal plate on the reverse of the clasp and was probably hammered in from the reverse side. The head of the rivet protrudes slightly on the front side of the clasp. The rivet is circular in plan and is approximately 1.6mm in diameter. At the opposing end of the rectangular box the sheet metal has been pinched-in forming a 'neck' which forms a junction with the circular terminus. The width of the neck on the reverse of the strap end is 6.42mm. The groove between the edge of the box and the edge of the terminus is 0.92mm. The terminus is hollow and circular in plan with a maximum diameter of 6.89mm and a maximum thickness of 2.83mm. There is a perforation in the centre of the terminus. The distortion of the metal plate on the reverse of the clasp suggests that the perforation was punched in from front to back. There are scratches and dents around the perforation to the front of the strap-end. Some of the damage may have been caused when the perforation was being made, although it is uncertain whether damage also occurred during use or post-deposition of the object. The perforation is irregular and is approximately 2.1mm diameter at its widest point. A narrower projection would have been present on the external edge of this circular zone, oposite the rectangular box, however this is now missing with a transverse break which leaves a small gap visible between the upper and lower sheets of metal. The clasp is undecorated. The entire surface of the clasp is scratched and dented, with patches of black tarnish. Weight is 1.35g. Overall length is 19.19mm; width is 8.31mm and thickness is 3.04mm.See Egan, G. The Medieval Household: Medieval Finds From Excavations in London 1998, p.277-280.Report for HM Coroner A small medieval clasp formed of two sheets of silver dating from the late 14th to early 15th century. One sheet forms the upper surface and two sides of a rectangular box with a circular terminus. A second, flat, sheet forms the lower surface of the box and terminus. The sheets have been riveted together with the remains of a leather strap visible between. The box is 12.66mm in length, 8.31mm wide and 3.04mm thick, the open end of the box reveals that the sheet metal is approximately 0.4mm thick. The rivet, almost flush with the plate on the back, was probably hammered in from the reverse side. At the opposite end, sheet metal has been pinched-in forming a junction with the circular terminus. The terminus is hollow and circular in plan, with a perforation in the centre. The distortion of the metal plate on the reverse of the clasp suggests that the perforation was punched in from front to back. A narrower projection, now missing but most likely a small loop, would have been present on the end of the circular terminus. The clasp is undecorated and the surface is scratched and dented, with patches of black tarnish.The majority of surviving medieval book clasps are copper alloy rather than silver, such as this piece. See Egan, G. The Medieval Household: Medieval Finds From Excavations in London 1998, p.277-280.Consequently, in terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.Helen FowlerFinds Liaison Officer, CambridgeshireNaomi SpeakmanCurator, Late Medieval Collections
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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