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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy strap end of Early Medieval date. The strap end is of Thomas' Class A, Type 1 with zoomorphic terminal and Trewhiddle style decoration. The strap end is a pointed oval in shape with a zoomorphic terminal at the closed end and a slightly concaved open split terminal with two rivet holes at the attachment end. The strap end is cast in one piece but the attachment end is split into an upper and lower plate to allow the strap material to be fitted. Between the rivet holes on the upper surface is an incised inverted fan shaped decoration. The zoomorphic terminal is in the form of a forward facing animal head with bulbous eyes, well formed snout and incised curved ears. The central panel bears a chip carved beast, possibly serpentine, with open mouth, pointed ears and bifid tail. The recessed area around this image is filled with an undetermined white material and traces of red enamel remain. The reverse is flat and undecorated.The metal has a mid brownish-green patina and survives in good condition. The strap end is 43mm long, 13.7mm wide, 3.5mm thick and weighs 6.3g.Late Anglo Saxon and Viking strap ends have been classified into several types by Thomas with this example fitting into Thomas' Class A, Type 1 dating broadly from the 8th to 9th centuries.
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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