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Description: | A cast, copper alloy, medieval, fragment, possibly of a large heraldic harness mount. It probably dates from AD 1250-1400. Complete it could have been a "heater shaped" shield similar to "Museum of London Medieval Catalogue" 1940, p.118, fig. 38 (I). Just under half the mount remains. See the third image for the projected size. All the enamel and the metal finish has been lost. It has a dull green patina (or verdigris) all over its surface. Two lions rampant, the remains of the bend, and a raised rim would have had a metal finish. The enamel would have been in the background to raise the base level to make it flush with the gilded lions, bend and rim. The fragment measures 56.55mm long x 28.33mm wide x 3.23mm thick. It weighs 24.93 gm. The projected original size is approx 77mm x 52mm.The heraldry would probably have been; Azure (blue), a bend cotised between six lions rampant Or (gold). The arms belong to the de Bohun family, Earls of Hereford and Essex until 1373. These arms are to be found on heraldic pendants and mounts etc. very frequently; on over 50 items on the PAS Database.On the database there are 2 complete, similar, de Bohun, heater shield shaped mounts. NMS-6FF562 measures 66mm x 52mm. NMS-F34537 measures 69mm x 56mm. These are both a very similar size and shape to the projected size of this fragment. Unfortunately neither of these complete examples had their thickness or weight recorded, so an exact comparison is difficult. None of these three items have any obvious means of fixing. They may have been fixed into a frame, or cut into wood, leather or metal with a tight fit, and fixed with an adhesive. Another shield shaped mount with straight sides and a rounded base also with the de Bohun arms is GLO-C89A08. This also measures a similar size at 69mm x 52mm, but is thinner than the fragment at 1.5mm. The write up on this suggests that it could have been fitted in a mount, and may have been fixed to a chest. It is possible that all four of these important large mounts (including this fragment) could have been fastened to chests or to the wood on a carriage. See the Luttrell Psalter, folio 181 verso, for an example of a royal carriage with heraldry. But they could also all have been fixed to a saddle or other horse accoutrement. Therefore "Harness Mount" is still probably the best description for the database.The tapering shape at the base of this fragment, which almost appears as if it could have extended into a rectangular bar, casts further doubt on the original shape of this incomplete artefact.The de Bohun family was of national importance, and it wanted to emphasise this. This is confirmed by the widespread find spots of their heraldic mounts, pendants, etc. in comparison with other important families of the period. As this item was found in Folkstone, a Cinque Port, it could have been lost on the way to, or from, a foreign venture.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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