STRAP FITTING 590218

Description: An incomplete post-medieval (1500-1700) copper alloy two-part toggle clasp (eye-section) of Read Type 1, from a sword belt of 16th to 17th century date. It measures 28.70mm in length, 20.40mm wide, 5.50mm thick and weighs 3.86g. This part is the rectangular eye through which the toggle on the corresponding section would have fitted. The object is missing about half its length. The eye should be attached to an integral body with an openwork circle at the centre, trifoliate and bifurcate outer edges and a rivet hole at each end. Most of this body has broken off and all that remains is one rivet hole (still containing part of the iron rivet) and part of the edge of the central circle. The body is delineated from the eye by a raised bar. There is also a raised arched bar at the other end of the eye. Both these bars have raised diagonal linear decoration on them. Also attached to oneside of the eye is a suspension loop, 7.90mm in diameter with a 4.00mm diameter central hole. The object is mostly flat, though with slightly chamfered edges, and has a thickness of 2.15mm (5.50mm including the curving transverse bar). Similar fittings are illustrated in Read (2008) p. 208-9, nos. 753-5. Toggle clasps are closely associated with sword belts and scabbard fittings. Also cf. WILT-C2D930 for a complete example.

Date: 1500 - 1700

Object type: STRAP FITTING

Last import: August 15, 2017