EARLY MEDIEVAL STRAP FITTING

1000

A strap fitting of 11th century date. The object has an oval head set at right angles to a hooped frame. There is a broken projection in the hoop opposite the head. On the head is an inlay, possibly of silver, comprising four arcs forming a cross with rounded internal angles.The object has similarities to the so-called 'socketed hooks' but is missing the front of the conical socket. It has a closer parallel in HAMP-5D2084, which is also missing the front strut of the socket, and which terminates in a ring rather than the more normal hooked loop. The Ringerike-style engraving found on many of the socketed hooks dates them to the 11th century AD. They may have had a use on horse-harness or sword-belts.