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Description: | A corroded and incomplete copper-alloy harness pendant of medieval date. The outline of the pendant is that of an 'elaborate quatrefoil' (Ward Perkins' (1940, 118) Type V), that is, with pointed protrusions between the four semi-circular lobes. Centrally placed on the top edge of the upper semicircle would have been a suspension loop, but this is lost with only a small stub remaining. The front is decorated with an indented design of a large capital lombardic M with a crown above. The crown is a pentagon with a point in the centre of the top, angled sides and a concave curved base. Both the M and crown contain remains of red enamel. The metal has corroded to a green patina with areas of red showing through. The remaining part of the pendant is 37.3mm height, 35.1mm width, 2.5mm thickness and weighs 10.16 grams.Harness pendants and studs bearing crowned letters, often W, I and M, are given a relatively late date within the normal range for harness pendants, usually the 14th century or later. Indeed, as noted in WAW-CC1A56 for example, these are perhaps best considered as badges rather than arms and may be dress accessories rather than harness accessories. A similar pendant with a crowned 'M' is known from London (Clark 1995, 65-66, no 62) from a context dated c.1270-1350, although with a different crown and a raised M on an incuse field. The 'M' is thought to signify the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven. This pendant may therefore have been an indication of the religious devotion of the owner.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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