FURNITURE FITTING 384324

Description: A cast copper-alloy post-medieval furniture fitting with a terminal in the form of an eagle.  Fragments of such fittings have been recorded elsewhere on this database where the eagle or parts thereof have survived (e.g. RAH1461, SUR-C45267).  The eagle is made of pressed metal and has a hollow back.  It measures 51.25mm by 52.2mm.  When viewed from the front the eagle's head is turned to the left, the tail is to the left, and the wings are outstretched.  It is perched on a rock which is covered is depressions; the right leg is raised up.  The main body feathers are delineated with a central rib and there are longer feathers towards the wing tips.  The beak is also moulded, as is an eye; the bird also has a crest.  The eagle terminal has been slightly bent as a result of old damage.  Extending from the reverse of the 'rock' is a bar of circular cross-section.  It  has a diameter of c. 5.6mm at the junction with the terminal.  It expands gradually before flaring to a ridge 11.7mm in diameter after 29.4mm.  Beyond this is a slightly narrower waist before an expansion to the mounting end (Dia.: 19.6mm).  Beyond this is a corroded central iron screw thread, probably truncated, that extends a further 21.4mm. Over the general brown colour of the metal are patches of green corrosion product.  The object probably functioned as a curtain tie.

Date: 1700 - 1850

Object type: FURNITURE FITTING

Last import: August 15, 2017