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Description: | An incomplete Early Post-Medieval (1500-1700) copper alloy sword belt fitting, consisting of a hooked plate holding a fragment of suspension loop. This would have been one of a trio of plates, which would have hung from a mount with three suspension loops. In turn, scabbard straps would have been attached to the plates.The hooked plate has one trefoliate terminal (now bent) and a globular-terminalled hook, which curves round to meet the front of the plate. From this end extends an elaborate scrolling foliate pattern with fronds to either side from a central stem, reaching into the trefoliate end. Both ends have rivet holes (c.2.5mm diameter) now filled with iron corrosion. The plate measures 44.22mm (bent) x18.57x2.23mm, 11.15mm thick at the hook.The suspension loop is D-shaped with a c.6mm diameter piercing flanked by two transverse grooves and a worn projection to one side. The breaks are very worn.The object measures 55.30mm in length, 18.57mm in max.width and 11.15mm in max.thickness. It weighs 8.40g.Such fittings are rarely found complete, rather elements or broken examples are far more common. An illustration of another complete sword-belt fitting can be found in Read (2001, 43; fig. 26, ref. 373). Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). Their design and decoration are relatively standardised.
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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