MEDIEVAL STRAP END

1100

Medieval cast, one-piece, trapezoidal, socketed copper alloy strap-end with one iron rivet, a raised rib or collar around the attachment edge and outside edge consisting of a transverse roll moulding that projects slightly beyond the sides. The flat spaces on both faces are decorated with rather crude and in part deep engraving. One face is divided into four quarters by a longitudinal and a transverse line, each quarter containing a saltire formed from four pointed oval incisions. On the other an ovoid line surrounds a simple cross, the interstices containing similar incisions. Two rows of three more incisions lie outside the oval. The roll moulding carries four straight transverse grooves and two V-shaped grooves. Length 27mm, width at attachment edge 25mm, width at roll moulding, thickness 6.5mm (7.5mm at roll moulding). A heavy object (weighing 21.13g) without any close parallel. Perhaps 12th century.