POST MEDIEVAL STRAP FITTING

1550

A complete cast copper alloy strap/ belt fitting in the form of a snake, dating to the late 16th/ early 17th century AD (length: 40mm; width: 20.5mm; thickness: 4mm; weight: 11.1g).This ‘S’ shaped buckle is sub-oval in section and has a tapering terminal/ head at one end, which is in the form of a probable bird’s head. The opposing end tapers to form a tail. The facial features on this terminal are clearly visible, including the slanted eyes to either side with the mouth on the underside. There is also a slight crest stretching behind the eyes on the top of the head. Although the head has a probable bird appearance, the tail and multiple scales along the length of the artefact also given a snake-like appearance. There is no other decoration on this artefact. Overall, the artefact is in a worn but fair condition with a light brown patina.Similar examples are illustrated in Gordon Bailey’s ‘Detector Finds 3’, 1997, pages 20-1. Bailey states that the ‘snake form belt hooks’ became popular during the 16th century, where an example can be seen in the portrait of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, c. 1575. The fastener was part of a sword belt, and was used in place of the normal buckle. It is likely that these strap fittings would have been tinned or gilded. The snake belt hook would seem to have fallen from fashion by the 17th century, and remained so until the end of the 18th century, when it was favoured by the military (Bailey, page 20).