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Description: | A fragment of cast copper alloy strap end / strap fitting of late Early Medieval date (10th century). The strap end is formed from a single sheet of cast copper alloy; part of the upper surface has been chip-carved with an intricate - but incomplete - design. The strap end is sub-rectangular in both plan and cross section. The profile is stepped with a small rectangular tab / tongue being recessed on the upper surface. This tab is devoid of decoration and the upper edge is pierced by two small rivet holes (diameter 1.9mm). The external edges of the tab is bevelled or faceted on the upper face. The lower section of the strap end is extensively decorated - this design is contained within a raised rectangular border that respects the edges of the fitting. The design within consists of a series of curvi-linear and linear ribs and wedges all chip carved. The overall design has been identified by Dr Kevin Leahy as 'Viking Borre style' and is part of a pattern known as 'ring chain'. The reverse is plain and undecorated. The strap end is a mid brown colour with a slightly abraded patina. The break is unworn but patinated suggesting that it was damaged in antiquity. This example fits well with that described by Thomas as his Class E - Type 4 specifically his example 30 the style of which he describes as a 'vertebral ring chain' characterised by a central rib of concave- sided, truncated triangles with internal contours, enclosed by a series of double -contoured curving plaits" (2004, 2-4)The strap end measures 22.3mm length, 23.0mm width, is maximum of 2.9mm thick across the decorated section and 2.1mm across the tongue. It weighs 5.17 grams.Dr Leahy comments in full:I think that the decoration owes more to the Viking Borre style than anything English, it looks like part of a ring chain. The fitting is interesting: it looks like the strap was secured as separate plate rather than the usual bifurcation, this is something that we see on Carolingian strap ends.Similar examples on the PAS database - specifically:HAMP-2D60A0 from St Leonards and St Ives (Dorset) http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/287962In this record Rob Webley notes that the distributionSuch decoration is characteristic of Borre style art and is found on Thomas' (2004, 2-3) Class E, Type 4 strap-ends. These strap-ends tend to be found in East Anglia, both in Thomas' experience and with finds recorded on this database.The overall shape of the strap end can also be seen in a more complete variant example (with a differing form - Style I - of decoration)BUC-F6FE23 from Wingrave with Rowsham (Bucks) http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/394763Thanks are extended to David Williams, Rob Webley, Ros Tyrell and Dr Leahy for their help in recording this important Shropshire artefact.
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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