MEDIEVAL BUCKLE

1200

Incomplete medieval copper alloy buckle. Of the oval frame only the offset narrowed bar and the stumps of the sides remain. The strip pin is in a paler green surfaced alloy. The rectangular folded and gilt sheet plate is incomplete (two opposed corners missing). There are four rivet holes (only those next to the fold extant), frame recesses and a pin slot. Decoration consists of an engraved scrolled foliar design, now very faint and surviving slightly above the present surface. This is dull and purplish, with gilding only survivng within the engraving. The rear part of the plate is very much shorter. In antiquity it suffered damage to one rivet hole and was repaired, with the insertion of new rivets through a reinforcing gilt bar mount. It is likely that three alloys were used in the three elements, frame, plate and pin, with a fourth in the repair mount. Plate 28.5 x 17mm. Rear part 10 x c.13mm. Length of pin 18mm. c.1200 - c.1400