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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy strap end, with a silver or tin coating, dating from the Early Medieval period (circa AD 800 - AD 900).The strap end is sub rectangular in plan. The top of the object is incomplete, but appears to divide, in profile, forming a 'V' shape. The leather strap would have been attached to the strap end by rivets (now missing).The front of the strap end is decorated and split into two parts: a central rectangular panel and an zoomorphic terminal. It is possible that the central panel is an anthropomorphic pattern, depicting a human standing with a curled pattern above the head resembling horns.The pointed terminal is decorated with an animal and a single hole / perforation in the centre. The reverse of the strap end is flat and undecorated.The strap end measures 39.0 mm in length, 13.5 mm wide and 1.9 mm thick. It weighs 5 g.The object is silver in colour with green patches, with an even surface patina. Thomas (2003, p.1) states: "Strap ends provided the dual service of preventing straps to which they were attached from fraying or curling, and on items of costume, adding weight to make them hang down attractively. One can deduce from their considerable variation in size and the fact that they were evidently worn in sets, pairs and singly, that the range current during this period encapsulated several functional contexts."Late Anglo Saxon and Viking Age strap ends have been classified into several types by Thomas (2003). It is possible that this example will fit into Thomas' Class A, Type 3 (Anthropomorphic style).In terms of dating, Thomas (2003, p.2) states that the chronological limits of the class A strap ends probably lie either side of the 9th century - with some suggestion of 8th century origins and increasing evidence to 10th century usage in the north, by which time the tongue shaped (class E) examples had superseded them in the south. On this basis the strap end is likely to date from the 8th to the 10th century.Reference:Thomas, G. (2003) 'Late Anglo Saxon and Viking Age strap ends 750 - 1100: Part 1'. Datasheet 32, Finds Research Group AD 700 - 1700.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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