|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete post-Medieval cast copper-alloy sword-belt fitting (1600-1700). This strap-fitting consists of half of the original mount (hanger), which, when complete, would have had two suspension loops from which a pair of hooked plates would have hung; in turn, the scabbard straps would have been attached to these plates. The mount features foliate decoration on its visible face. Such fittings are rarely found complete, rather elements or broken examples are far more common. However, a complete sword-belt hanger of this type can be seen on this database (ref. WILT-5F9183) and also in illustrated in Geake (2001, fig. 17), with examples of the accompanying M-shaped plates illustrated in Read (2008, 219-220; refs. 790-792). Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). Their design and decoration are relatively standardised.The hanger has the appearance of an M-shaped plate on its side with concomitant foliate decoration and a suspension loop emerging from the lower edge. Towards the outer edge a corroded iron rivet survives; there is a further rivet hole at the point the plate has broken, originally the mid point of the hanger. As mentioned, one of the original two integral loops depends from the mount the hooked plate is missing.The outer edge of the mount is double cusped, then comes a waist after which it widens towards the centre then narrows before narrowing just before the point of break. The lower surface is flat and plain; the front, visible, face is decorated with a symmetrical foliate design in relief: a central stem with three central trefoil leaves and two fronds below on either side. Above are two side stems each terminating in a leaf which curve to follow the rounded corner. A narrow, undecorated raised border surrounds the design, following the shape of the plate.The object is green and partially corroded. There are traces of a dark green patina at the rear.Length: 32.7mm; width: 18.7mm; width including loop: 28.1mm; thickness of plate: 2.3mm; thickness of loop: 3.6mm. Weight: 8.51g.Geake, H. 2001. Finds Recording Guide. Unpublished.Read, B. 2008. Hooked-Clasps & Eyes: A Classification and Catalogue of Sharp- or Blunt-hooked clasps and Miscellaneous Hooks, Eyes, Rings or Toggles. Portcullis Publishing: Langport, Somerset.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
-
-
STRAP FITTING
An incomplete, copper-alloy post-medieval sword-belt…
-
SWORD BELT
A incomplete copper-alloy post-medieval sword…
-
-
-
-
-
-
|