MEDIEVAL HARNESS FITTING

1100

Medieval Gilt horse harness pendant, oval with elongated suspension-loop containing remains of corroded iron pin, decorated with a stylised ?cloven-footed beast or monster (possibly a horse) with tail between legs curling up over hind quarters, elongated beak-like snout and mane, passant (to sinister) reguardant on remains of a pelleted field, gilding survives in engraving now standing proud of decayed surface, 16 x 28mm. Cf. a pendant discovered on the excavations in Southampton in Harvey 1975, 254 and Fig.240, no. 1708, dated to c.1200-50 and a broadly similar example from Costessey (HER 9308) in Ashley 2002, fig.7, no.17. 12th century.