BUCKLE 986451

Description: Copper alloy incomplete probable buckle frame. Probably early high Medieval, possibly Early Medieval in date. The frame appears to have originally been D-shaped and single looped although it is now bent and distorted and the strap bar is worn and broken in the centre. The outer edge widens slightly towards the centre and is flat in cross section but angled downwards from the inner to the outer edge. At the centre of the loop is a thick triangular boss with a central groove making a pin rest. The outer edge and sides of the loop are covered in regularly spaced transverse incised lines. The remains of the strap bar appear to have projected level with the inner edge of the loop (which is higher than the outer), although they are now bent downwards as part of the distortion. The strap bar is much narrower than the loop and circular in cross section. The remaining piece is 29.0mm wide, 18.1mm long and 5.0mm thick, excluding the bent down strap bar part and weighs 3.62g. While hard to parallel precisely the heavily angled outer edge, incised decoration, prominent pin rest and relatively small D-shape are all reminiscent of late Early Medieval to early high Medieval buckle forms before buckles became generally less decorated in the 12th century. An AD 700 to 1150 date is therefore suggested.

Date: 700 - 1150

Object type: BUCKLE

Last import: September 22, 2022