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Description: | A cast copper alloy enamelled harness pendant of probable 14th-century (c.1250 - c.1450) date. Originally the pendant is an elaborate quatrefoil shape in plan however, it is now an eroded oval shape. In cross section it is sub-rectangular (D shaped). The edges are all worn and abraded whilst the reverse is eroded. On the upper edge of the pendant is an irregular projection; this is all that remains of an integral cast suspension loop which would have been set at 90 degrees to the plain of the pendant. The front face of the pendant has an elaborate cast and silvered / tinned design that is depicted in relief on a background of red and blue enamel. The central design is enclosed within a square panel and depicts a silvered (argent) lion passant guardant on a field of red (Gules) enamel. The depiction of the lion is relatively crude and out of scale. At each corner of the central panel are small lobe like projections which are also filled with red (Or) enamel. Between these lobes are further semi-circular panels of blue (azure) enamel each with a spread silvered (argent) lis each emanating from the mid-point of the central square panel. The rear of the pendant is undecorated and heavily eroded. Heraldically this pendant is described: A lion passant guardant argent on a square field gules; from each side of which springs a fleur-de-lis argent into each foil gules between four lobes Azure. The harness pendant is a mid- light green colour with an irregular patina that covers all un-enamelled surfaces. Similar elaborate quatrefoil shaped horse harness pendants have been dated to the middle of the medieval period, specifically the 14th century. A number of similar devices are published by Steven Ashby in Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk,(2002: p21 fig 21:208-213). He suggests that these pendants are likely to be made after 1340 when the fleur de lis of France was quartered with the lions of England. An example of this type has been found in an excavated context dated to the period 1425-1521. A good PAS example can be seen from Rudge, Shropshire (HESH-EB5A47)The pendant measures 25.9mm in length, 20.6mm in width, and is 3.2mm thick. The pendant weighs 6.0 grams.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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