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Description: | A cast copper-alloy strap union of later Iron Age date. It has an openwork plate that is figure-of-eight in form with opposing petal or trumpet shaped motifs at the centre. Each of the central motifs has a circular body with raised border that extends at the centre of the figure-of-eight to a semi-circular terminal or lobe with raised border on the outer edge only. This results in one semi-circular terminal pointing directly upwards and one directly downwards. At the centre of each motif is a circular recessed field with separately cast cylindrical rivet that pierced the plate, presumably originally holding in place an enamelled, coral or similar inlay. The back faces of the central motifs are flat and undecorated. The upper and lower edges of the figure-of-eight are expanded and oval sectioned, with circular recessed fields at the centre of their front faces. To each side of the figure-of-eight are integrally cast vertical bars that are cylindrical in form and held in place at top and bottom by transverse, flat circular plates. Each of these plates has moulded decoration on its outer face comprising a central circled tricorne motif. The entire strap union has a dark brown patina that has some pitting and evidence of active pale green corrosive products. It measures 41.65mm in length, 44.75mm in width, 5.90mm in thickness (at plate; 8.76mm at vertical bar attachments); 3.47mm and 3.51mm in diameter at vertical bars, and 28.51g in weight.This is a complete strap union of later Iron Age date. It finds parallels in Taylor and Brailesford's (1985) Type 1 strap unions with figure-of-eight plate and vertical bars and probably dates to between the 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD.
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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