POST MEDIEVAL STRAP FITTING

1500

A complete cast copper alloy strap/ belt fitting in the form of a snake, dating to the late 16th century AD (length: 39.5mm; width: 20.5mm; thickness: 6mm; weight: 11.22g).This ‘S’ shaped buckle is sub-oval in section and has tapering terminals head at either end, which form a zoomorphic bird or dragon appearance. All the facial features on these terminals are visible, which include an open mouth, incised eyes, a crest on top of the head as well as feathers or scales down the beasts’ necks. In the centre between these terminals, there is elaborate moulded foliage decoration to either side of a central moulded flower. There is no other decoration on this artefact. Additionally, there is a complete circular loop (which has a slightly gap in it) that still circles round the artefact (diameter of loop: 11.5mm). Overall, the artefact is in a slightly worn but fair condition with a light green patina.Similar examples are illustrated in Gorgon 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).