EARLY MEDIEVAL STIRRUP

1000

An incomplete copepr-alloy late early medieval stirrup strap mount most similar to Williams Class B, type 3, group 4 (Williams 1997, 91-93, fig 57, 436-438). Half of one side of the mount is now missing due to old breaks now worn. It is trapezoidal in shape and has an angled flange, as do all Class B mounts. It is most similar to type 3 group 4 as it has one prominent mouse of bat like projecting moulded head in its centre , with oval shaped ears, bulbous eyes and a square ended snout. It does not however, have a mouth formed from an aperture as the other examples of this group do. Profile beasts may have been intended by the engraving near to the surviving upper edge but these are unclear. There are two (one now missing) holes in notched lobes on either corner of the upper edge and two circular hole above the central head. There are also two larger oval shaped holes with border grooves to either side of the head. The sides of the mount have small transverse decorative grooves along them. There are two fixing holes through the angled flange. This example measures 37.51mm in length and 34.09mm in width.