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Description: | A copper-alloy harness fitting of Medieval date.The object, which is slightly damaged, takes the form of a rectangular banner, decorated on both sides. A plain tab, measuring the same width as the banner, projects from one end and has been rolled over, creating a cylinder, into which a rod would originally have fitted, allowing the banner to rotate freely. On both sides of the banner the decoration takes the form of an eagle standing, guardant. On the upper surface the bird stands to the right, its features delineated by a series of low ridges. Remnants of a red enamel inset survive within the field surrounding the bird, and traces of a black coating are also visible on the raised areas of the design. The reverse design, partially obscured by the end of the folded cylinder tab, is less well executed. In this case the bird stands to the left, adopting the same pose as that on the upper surface but with fewer ridges having been employed and generally less attention to detail. As in the upper surface, traces of red enamel are visible within the surrounding field.Dimensions: height: 43.4mm; width (wider than original, due to damage): 33.4mm; thickness: 2.4mm. Weight: 20.53g.Rotating banners bearing heraldic designs are illustrated and discussed by Steven Ashley (2002: 23/fig. 24, nos. 238-240), in each case the banner's decoration consisting of at least one animal in heraldic stance. Recorded examples of rotating banners on the PAS database include KENT-D7CCF3, NMS-9F6934 and SF-D8EDA2, the latter two of which were examined by Steven Ashley and dated to the 14th century. Griffiths (1986: 4. no. 23) illustrates how such banners would have functioned, in conjunction with a swivelling strap fitting.
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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