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Description: | Copper alloy bridle fitting of uncertain date, probably Late Iron Age to Early Roman, possibly 1st or 2nd century ADThe fitting is probably a bridle link from either a two or three-link bridle bit and is near complete but is heavily worn and corroded (with a surviving length of 56.0mm and a weight of 21.3g). The bridle fitting comprises two loops, both now open and only partially preserved but were at a perpendicular axis to each other and positioned each end of the bar. One loop has a smaller diameter (of 15.5mm) but has a comparatively wide sleeve (with a width of 25.5mm and a thickness of 2mm). The loop has a rib continuing on both sides from the bar, now worn and corroded. The bar (with a length of 20.2mm) is of rectangular to square section, which is wider at the sleeved loop end (8.4mm x 8.6mm) and narrows to the larger diameter loop (7.4mm6.8mm). Approximately half of the circular loop survives (with a diameter of 23.3mm), which is of oval section (5.4mm wide and 4.3mm thick). The corrosion makes it difficult to determine the extent of any wear on the loop. There appears to be a casting flaw on one side. No decoration is evident on this loop or on the bar. The surface is largely stripped and very heavily pitted, with areas of grey-black corrosion.The lack of diagnostic features makes any confident identification difficult. Similar links were used in Late Iron Age bridle bits and the comparatively small length may suggest the link is from a three, rather than a two piece bit. Additionally, the smaller aperture may be too small to allow a two-piece casting. The bridle link was recovered from close proximity to another similar example[1] and it is possible that both links were from the same bridle. Also found in the vicinity was an undecorated sub-circular copper alloy ring (30.0mm - 31.2mm external diameter and 20.6mm -2.13mm internal diameter). Both faces are bevelled towards the interior and there is no evidence of extensive wear on the ring. While it is possible that the ring was associated with the bridle the surface is not especially corroded or pitted and has a very different surface condition to both bridle pieces. [1] NMWPA 2013.6.1
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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