STRAP FITTING 776855

Description: An incomplete, copper alloy, probably strap fitting of uncertain, possibly medieval, date. It is made up of three parts: a central rectangular section, with a central rectangular opening and two attached strap ends. At one end a strap end is folded over what is effectively the end bar, and at the other, a fragment folded over the bar, which could be part of another strap end. The whole item is 57.88mm in length, 19.68mm in width at its widest point. It weighs 10.70g. The central section is 29.03mm in length with an opening 21.16mm in length, 6mm wide. The underside is flat, and undecorated. From this lower side a series of eight lugs, four on each side, project outwards but are not as thick as the main section and so, from above, the two long sides of the section appear as raised ridges. The short sides (bars) are a little thicker than the lugs but not as much as the long sides. The lugs are worn but appear to have been semi-circular originally, approximately 4.50mm in diameter. There is evidence of gilding, particularly in the area immediately above the lugs, but the top surface of the central section is badly abraded and only shows green and brown patina. The apparently complete strap end is 26.50mm long and is a tear-drop shaped strip of metal, folded over the bar as described above, the lower side ending at a point two thirds of the length of the upper side, just beyond a rivet hole which is central to the upper half. There is no rivet. Gilding is apparent around the rivet hole.The rectangular central section effectively hangs a s a pendant from this strap end. However, another piece of metal hangs from the other end of this section. It may originally have mirrored the first strap end but it is now a short section of metal folded over the bar, and is broken at both ends. It is 15.30mm in length. Its patina is noticeably different from the patina on the rest of the item , being dark green. This could be part of a horse harness but while the central section is very robust, the strap ends are relatively light-weight.

Object type: STRAP FITTING

Last import: August 15, 2017