BRIDLE BIT 836204

Description: An incomplete copper-alloy late early-medieval bridle cheek piece with incised zoomorphic decoration, dating to the period AD 1000-1100. What remains is a flat surface plate, measuring 54.96mm in length, 26.85mm wide and 4mm thick, ending in what may have been a broken, broadly circular hoop on the left hand side from which the bit would have originally fitted. There are four perforations within of varying diameters and are broadly circular in shape, the largest measures 9.81mm in length and 6.55mm in width. To the left of the largest perforation is another, measuring 6.43mm in length and 3.58mm in width. Due to the manner of the perforation, the length is shorter on the back than it is on the front, the sides of the perforation sloping inwards to the back of the cheek piece. There are two further perforations to the right of the largest, one on top of the other. The smaller is at the bottom, measuring 4.44mm in length and 3.01mm wide, with the larger measuring 5.64mm in length and 4.21mm in width. The decoration is incised zoomorphic, with inward faces and their heads and bodies created by openwork. The reddish colour of the cheek piece is suggestive of red tinning, and is present on both sides. No discernible decoration can be seen on the back of the cheek piece, most likely due to this side facing inwards to the horse. The cheek piece weighs 22.18g. For similar, please see "Finds Research Group- 700-1700, Datasheets 25-40." Datasheet 39, Williams (2007) "Anglo-Scandanavian Horse Harness Fittings".

Date: 1000 - 1100

Object type: BRIDLE BIT

Last import: September 22, 2022