EARLY MEDIEVAL STIRRUP

1000

Late Saxon stirrup-strap mount. Made of cast copper alloy, it is sub-traingular in shape. It has a common right angle flange, with the corroded remains of two iron rivets in place. This corrosion has slightly affected the front of the mount. The apex loop is damaged. The mount is decorated by engraving and openwork and the pattern appears to be an interlaced zoomorphic design. It is worn, so the images are difficult to make out clearly. The openwork comprises two elongated kidney-shapes in the shoulders of the mount and six small circluar holes randomly placed. The two lower fixing holes not only have the remains of the two iron rivets, but there are possibly the remains of the iron fitting or strap on the reverse. It is early medieval in date (850 to 1066) and conforms to Williams' Class A Type 10B.