STRAP END 117605

Description: Incomplete and rather peculiar copper alloy strap-end. It is 57mm in length and max 31mm wide. The central part of the strap-end is widest and circular. It has the remains of 3 upstanding rivets, which have been inserted through the backplate. Apparantly a rectangular piece crossed the strap end here, over the rivets, joining with the rectangular end projecting from the circular area (measures 21x20mm) and the other projection from the circular area, an animal head. Two long 'ears' project backwards to join the remains of the 18mm wide strip. Either side of this strip are two semi-circular-ish areas with incised line decoration, imitating what looks similar to a brick design - two horizontals close together with longer verticals above and below. This is on the top plate. A middle plate is present, and is of copper alloy - this is what extends from between two (broken) plates projecting fro the circular area. The animal head is rather cat-like but not similar to Anglo Saxon or medieval animal depictions. It has very long, wide eyes and a pointed nose. This is very strange strap end, the strap being copper alloy and the metal rather purplish in colour (which usually suggests a post medieval date). In addition, the animal head is not quite 'right' and this suggests this may be a relatively modern (?19th century) immitation, perhaps modelled on the medieval style. Weighs 20.12g.

Date: 1801 - 1900

Object type: STRAP END

Last import: August 15, 2017