SCABBARD 812819

Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy scabbard chape, of late medieval to early post-medieval date (1450 to 1550). Only of the front survives; the back plate is missing. The front-piece is cast and has a semi-circular, scallop-shaped base from which a sort rectangular neck extends. An extended wedge-shaped knop is present at the base of the chape in the centre. The grooves and ridges which create the effect of the shell radiate out from an openwork trefoil. Immediately above this perforation and at the base of the neck is a transverse ridge, and above this is a central, heart-shaped aperture. The sides of the object extend backwards to meet the missing plate, which would have been flat. The object has a smooth and shiny dark green patina. It measures 38.67mm in length, 26.73mm wide, 4.82mm thick and weighs 7.60g. Several similar scabbard chapes have been recorded on the PAS Database NMS-A2B7E4, LVPL-5FBC24, SWYOR-345B11 and WMID-2DE906. Similar objects can be seen in Ward Perkins (1940) Museum of London, Medieval Catalogue, Fig. 88, p. 287, No. 8. Other examples have been published by Bailey (1995, 70). All are considered to be Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval in dating (c. AD 1450 to c. AD 1550). References: Bailey, G. 1995. Detector Finds 2. Greenlight Publishing, Witham. Ward-Perkins, J.B. 1993. London Museum Medieval Catalogue. 1940. Anglia Publishing & Museum of London. Ipswich.

Date: 1450 - 1650

Object type: SCABBARD

Last import: August 15, 2017