|
Date: |
|
Description: | A complete Post-Medieval copper-alloy 'S'-shaped belt fastener of c. AD 1575 - 1800 date. This fastener is in the form of a curved snake forming two hooks. It is convex on both faces and has the same moulded decoration on each side. The upper hook takes the form of a snake's head, with an elaborate brow-ridge and moulded almond-shaped eyes and pellet pupils. On each side, from the neck to the tail, there is a central moulded rib, creating two fields of differing decoration emulating snake skin; diagonal moulded ridges on the snake's stomach and triangular scales on the back. The tail tapers to a rounded point.The object measures 40.2 mm in length, 19.6 mm wide, 5.3 mm thick and weighs 11.4 g.This object is very similar to record IOW-2D74A2. These S-shaped 'snake belt' fasteners were probably associated with sword belts in the 17th and 18th centuries and parallels can be seen in Bailey's (1997) Detector Finds 3, 21-22. Fasteners with snake heads continue in use on military and boys belts well into the 20th century.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
|
|