MEDIEVAL MOUNT

1250

Almost complete Medieval cast copper alloy arched pendant mount (AD1250-1450). The mount would have been attached by two accompaniment bar mounts which are missing; one of the end terminals is also missing. The remaining terminal is D shaped in section with a thin collar. The mount itself consists of three arches, the centre one is larger and flanked by two smaller arches of the same size which extent to the terminals. Between the arches are oval mouldings with the pointed end upwards; these are decorated with three longitudinal parallel lines converging at the oval point. The mount is flattened on the reverse to lie flat against clothing or furniture.Egan and Pritchard provide an alternative classification of 'Purse Hangers', suggesting the swinging element would hold such an item (2002, 219). These mounts were most likely clothing accessories however have previously been described as furniture handles (223). Early parallels for arched pendant mounts are found on mid-13th century French sculpture, of both men and women (219-223).The mount is 58.94mm in length, 14.58mm wide, 3.61mm thick and weighs 14.58g.Similar examples have been recorded as WILT-A82168, PUBLIC-476B9B, WAW-3C0255, NLM-9E0CF0. A parallel can also be seen (without oval mouldings) in Egan and Pritchard 2002, p.223, fig.140 no.1198.