MEDIEVAL BUCKLE

1450

Rectangular copper-alloy buckle plate, broken at hinge loops, decorated with an elaborate engraved/low relief pattern made with a very slightly rocked tool. The engraving defines low-relief tendrils which spring from the base of the pin slot. Two curl outwards around rivet holes in the near corners, and two curl inwards to form a heart shape. Where they touch, a central lobe springs to fill in the centre of the heart; the resulting shape is a little like a fleur-de-lis. There is a central rivet hole through the central lobe. A second similar heart-shaped motif fills in the space up to the attachment end, cut through by a rivet holes in each corner. Small lozenge-shaped elements fill in the spaces and a groove surrounds the whole panel. Traces of gilding survive in some of the grooves, and otherwise a black patina covers much of the surface. The form of the buckle plate is medieval, but the unusual decorative scheme suggests a later date. Probably mid 15th to mid 16th century.