STRAP FITTING 447263

Description: A slightly corroded and damaged cast copper-alloy hooked plate from a post-medieval sword-belt fitting. Overall, these strap-fittings tend to consist of a mount with three suspension loops from which hang a trio of hooked plates; the scabbard straps would have been attached to these plates. The ensemble features foliate decoration on their visible faces: an illustration of a complete sword-belt fitting can be found in Read (2001, 43; ref. 373). Their design and decoration are relatively standardised. Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). This single hooked plate survives well. It is sub-triangular in plan. It has a flat lower surface. Viewed in profile one can see that the hook end curves round in front of the main plate. The hook has broken before its globular terminal. From the hook (W.: 5.0mm) the plate flares out to a width of 16.25mm after c. 19.9mm. Aligned with the base of these side protrusions is a central circular rivet perforation; on the lower surface this is surrounded by a recess. The rivet is missing, but orange corrosion product on the lower surface suggests that it was made of iron. Below, the object narrows to a waist 9.9mm wide beyond these protrusions, before widening again to 18.35mm, 13.9mm from the terminal. Below these latter, and above the trefoil terminal (W.: 21.1mm), is another waist at which the plate narrows to 9.95mm. Centrally aligned with the beginning of the trefoil is a second circular perforation; on the lower face this is surrounded by a recess. As implied above, the reverse is plain; the front, visible, face features an elaborate scrolled foliage pattern, split down the vertical axis, with incised fronds trailing towards the edges and a moulded leaf at the hook end. The object has corroded to a dark red-brown colour with patches of a mid/dark-green patina and possible traces of a dark coating.

Date: 1500 - 1700

Object type: STRAP FITTING

Last import: August 15, 2017