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Description: | A complete copper-alloy sword belt strap fitting of Post Medieval dating (AD 1550 to AD 1700).It consists of a sub-rectangular plate, from one end of which protrudes a complete upturned hook. The hook has a rounded blunt point. The shortest edge (27.5 mm) features the hook in its centre; the edge incurves on both sides towards the hook. The hook itself extends for 18.7 mm. It curves round forwards in relation to the upper (decorated) surface of the plate. The hook has an oval cross-section. It is 5.4 mm wide, and 4.0 mm thick, being 6.8 mm wide where it joins the plate. The plate is flat and features moulded decoration on its upper surface. The two long sides incurve, flaring out to a width of 30.1 mm at the longer edge. This latter is formed of two curves - two crescentic removals. Rivet holes are present at the centre of the top edge, and one on either side of the hook. Iron corrosion products are present, indicating the remains of iron rivets. The decoration on the upper surface of the plate consists of 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 curl to follow the rounded corner and surrounds the upper two rivet holes. Above the central leaf the three stems are tied together with a band. A narrow, undecorated raised border surrounds the design, following the shape of the plate. The reverse of the plate is undecorated.Overall the strap fitting measures 50.3 mm in length, 30.1 mm wide and 13.3 mm thick. It weighs 11.7 g.The strap fitting is a mid green colour, with an even surface patina.A couple of similar hooked strap fittings have been recorded on the PAS database, including: HAMP-B47297; HAMP-1B5AD2 and NMS-FE8172. Read (2008, p 220) published a couple of examples in his book on hooked clasps and tags, no 791-2.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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