HARNESS PENDANT 179053

Description: A worn and corroded copper-alloy harness pendant of medieval date. The main body of the pendant is lonzengiform, with a curved knop protruding from each edge. The suspension loop (L.: c. 9.3mm, Th. at loop: 5.2mm) is on a perpendicular orientation to the main pendant body. It has almost abraded through through wear but remains intact. The main field is heavily corroded on both faces with most detail lost. However, comparison with other examples (e.g. Ashley 2002, 23, 25; ref. 246) suggests that an enamel quatrefoil would have sat centrally. Indeed, a small trace of blue enamel survives on one face, along with evidence of gilding closer to the loop. Ashley (2002, 23) suggests that pendants such as these were part of elaborate sets of horse furniture used in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Date: 1200 - 1400

Object type: HARNESS PENDANT

Last import: August 15, 2017