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Description: | A Medieval, cast copper-alloy, horse harness pendant suspension mount and pendant, dating from AD 1200 - 1400. Both hanger and pendant are flat and rectangular in plan. There is a single, circular perforation in the lower edge of the pendant, now broken. There is also a flat suspension loop projecting from the centre of the upper edge of the pendant, set at right angles to the remainder of the pendant and pierced with a circular perforation. A narrow, cylindrical copper alloy rivet remains in place in the perforation, forming the hinge from which the pendant section swings. The suspension mount hinge is formed from a rectangular extension in the centre of the lower edge, which has been folded over and then notched in the centre of the fold to take the suspension loop of the pendant. Both upper corner of the suspension mount are damaged, and it was probably fixed in these places. Both upper and lower rectangles carry the same design, which consists of a recessed circle containing an equal armed cross in low relief. The arms of the cross are also recessed and each arm terminates in three short extensions with small, globular terminals (simple cross fleuretty). The crosses contain traces of red enamel and the field of blue. There is also some evidence of a cross-hatched pattern on the outer areas of both hanger and pendant, now largely abraded away. There are traces of gilding remaining on the front of both hanger and pendant. The reverses are flat and undecorated. The pendant set has a rough, dark green patina. The combined length of pendant and hanger is 70.1mm. It is 33mm wide and 6.7mm thick. It weighs 18.34gm.Other pendants of this type are recorded on the database; compare for example KENT-F22333. Other harness fittings with the same design are also recorded. See for example HAMP-AFCAAD, which cites Ashley, 2002, Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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