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Description: | Cast copper alloy enamelled heraldic harness mount / stud of probable 14th-century date. The front of the mount is sub-triangular (shield-shaped) in plan and sub-rectangular in cross-section. The edges of the shield are slightly bevelled. The reverse of the shield has an integrally moulded spike, which is sub-rectangular in plan and cross section. This spike is broken and patinated suggesting damage in antiquity. A single U shaped notch is present on the upper edge of the spike - approximately 1/2 way along its length - it is possible this is deliberate rather than happenstance. The design on the front of the shield comprises alternate horizontal bands of red enamel and golden gilt; this is best described as a shield barry of seven gules and or. The majority of the gilt surface is decayed and some of the elements of the enamelling have been lost through abrasion. The harness mount has a mid green uneven and corroded patina with patches of light green active corrosion present, specifically around the abraded edges. Similar shield-shaped horse-harness mounts or studs have been dated to the middle of the medieval period, specifically the 14th century (Griffiths: 1986: Horse Harness Pendants. Finds Research Group Data Sheet 5). The design on the front of the shield, and the number of bars maybe dictated by the size of the object. It is very similar to two major Marcher families - the FitzAlan (Lords of Clun and Oswestry) and also the Poyntz (who had their powerbase in Gloucester)The mount measures 15.4mm in length, 12.0mm in width, is 3.5 across plate. The spike measures 4.2mm width 4.2mm thickness and projects 19.8mm. The mount weighs 4.05 grams.Thanks are extended to Robert Webley has very kindly provided the identification of the arms and links to the two families. | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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