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Description: | Cast copper alloy hooked strap fitting / belt mount / sword fitting of probable post medieval date (1600-1700 AD). The fitting is broadly circular in plan with a single sub rectangular hook projecting below. The front of the mount has bevelled edges. The hook is formed from a relatively thick D shaped projection which is bent back upon itself to create a U shaped hook. The hook has been broken and survives poorly. There is a slight scar at the opposite edge of the plate - and this might suggest a parallel projection extended at this end. The upper plate has been pierced in three places; these piercings are evenly spaced in an equilateral triangle (that also respects the punched decoration (see below). The heads of the iron pins / rivets are slightly proud of the surface - possibly having slight domed bosses. These holes would originally have held rivets to attach the mount to a strap or some similar leather garment. The front face of the mount is decorated with a series of incised / punched designs. These patterns seem to be formed around a central flower / rose which is contained within a lozenge formed from four arcs. The spaces within and outside this lozenge are decor orated with further flowers and other geometric designs. There is no trace of an applied surface present. The reverse face of the mount is flat. The lower half is encrusted with iron corrosion - here a large section of iron plate is present - suggesting that this piece was either riveted to both leather and / iron plate (possibly armour or something more practical like an iron loop. The mount is a dark green colour with a corroded and abraded patina. The edges of the mount have been badly worn. Similar mounts can be seen in Brian Read's Hooked eyes and clasps - being broadly similar to cat no 798 (p222). These examples are likely to be from personal fittings and a possible suggested use is that they are associated with sword belt fittings. A similar design can be seen on a similar oval shaped mount from Aldridge (West Midlands) - WMID-CCB354 http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/533332The hooked mount measures 51.9mm length, 37.0mm width, is 15.6mm thick and weighs 30.87 grams.
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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MOUNT
Cast copper alloy hooked mount…
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