MEDIEVAL STRAP FITTING

1100

Rectangular strap fitting, perhaps a mount or buckle plate, made from copper alloy and decorated with a V-shaped pattern of symmetrical waves about a central axis. There are three surviving waves reserved against a background filled with slightly curving rocker-arm (wide zig-zag) engraving within grooved borders. Around the edge of the design is a similar engraved border. Much if not all of the engraving in these borders has a slight zig-zag to it, as if the engraver were rocking the tool slightly to work it along through the metal. One edge of the plate is largely missing – a fragment of outer border is all that survives – and it is possible that hinge loops attaching it to a buckle frame may have disappeared here. Close to the opposite edge are three large circular holes, set slightly irregularly. They seem large for attachment holes, but there is no other means of attachment. The reverse is undecorated. The plate has a dark green patina. From the decoration, the object can be dated to the medieval period.