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Description: | A complete copper alloy button and looped fastener, of Late Iron Age to Early Roman dating (100 BC to c. 150 AD).The front of the button and loop fastener is trefoil shaped. The head is formed by a number of beads: there are three larger beads in a rectangular formation with a smaller bead in the centre. The integral cast shank (loop) is attached in the centre of the rear of the head and offset at approximately 90° to the plain of the head before turning at a 90° right angle so that the loop would project in the same plain as the button head. The shank is sub-rectangular in plan, and oval in cross section. It expands to form a triangular attachment loop.It measures 35.0 mm in length, 13.9 mm wide and 18.7 mm thick. It weighs 9.1 g.The fastener is a mid brown colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.This fastener does not fit neatly into any of Wild's classifications (1970). It is however, quite similar to another example recorded on this database (HESH-4C6224), which was also considered typologically problematic. Three broadly comparable examples are recorded on this database (WMID-07E690, WMID-D2AFD6 and WMID-BF8D50). Intriguingly, all of these broadly comparable examples have a West Midlands distribution, perhaps reflecting a regional type which would be worthy of further study.Wild (1970, 145) notes that the purpose of these fasteners was 'to hold together two pieces of fabric, leather or woven textile. The shank or loop was either sewn to a fabric base or attached to it by a thong.....The head of the fastener was probably inserted through a slit or loop in another section of fabric. There is no evidence to suggest that the head was fitted through a metal ring.' Additionally, Wild states that the only item of Roman clothing where the fasteners could have been used is the civilian and military cape, although there is little evidence to support this suggestion. The fasteners could have aslo been used as harness fittings.Reference:Wild, JP. 1970. Button-and-loop fasteners in the Roman provinces, Britannia, Vol. 1,137-155.
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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