STRAP END 778078

Description: A fragment of medieval (c. 1350-c. 1450) copper alloy openwork so-called 'lyre-shaped' strap end, consisting of the very end and terminal of the openwork plate only. The end of the plate has curved edges (which would have been incurved to give the plate its distinctive 'lyre' shape) with a 2.8mm diameter piercing at the centre. A V shape surrounds the piercing and beyond the edges of this the plate is decorated with alternating areas of parallel, diagonal grooves and areas empty of decoration. Behind this, the inside edge of the plate has two incurves with a worn break at the centre, which would have extended into a central stem within the original openwork plate. From the opposite, outside edge of the plate-end a moulded ring sits to either side above the piercing. From here a trefoil terminal extends, imitative of three pentagonal leaves with a central rib and raised edges. At the centre of this arrangedment is a raised lozenge. The reverse of the fragment is flat with no obvious decoration. The object measures 23.3mm in length, 32.2mm in max.width, 3.8mm in max.thickess (at the raised lozenge) and weighs 4.80g. A similar, complete strap-end can be see in Ward-Perkins, 270, fig. 85, ref. A. 2565.

Date: 1350 - 1450

Object type: STRAP END

Last import: September 22, 2022