MEDIEVAL MOUNT

1400

Copper alloy Mount. Cast concavo-convex mount comprising a smiling human mask in a hat or hood, with a backward pointing blunt hook rising behind it. Below the mask a miniature torso is represented with a pair of crooked ball-ended arms springing from it, and a circular loop, probably for an attachment rivet, below. The hollow mask is slightly thickened close to the hook, suggesting allowance for its use, perhaps fastening a strap.The facial features include a high brow, a broad triangular nose perhaps flattened by wear, and lidded eyes with bags beneath them. A tight fitting hat or hoop covers the ears and brow. Laura Burnett kindly notes a late medieval class parallel from Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, WAW-406321, representing a jester with truncated ass's ears (Medieval Archaeology 2007, 51, pages 227-229, fig. 6 a).Suggested date: Late Medieval, 1400-1500.Height: 60.2mm, Width: 29mm, Thickness (measured at top of mask next to hook): 2.9mm, Weight: 24.89gms.