MEDIEVAL STRAP END

1200

Cast copper alloy strap end, probably related to the 'mace-head' strap ends of medieval ages, such as LANCUM-2E1322 and HAMP-CA2397. It dates from circa AD1200-1500. The strap end is composed of the typical split end with the attachment rivet still in place, and a decorative, hollow 'mace-head' terminal. The globular terminal is hollow with five perforations, evenly spaced around the globe. It is unknown if there was something inside the terminal or if the perforations were somehow connected to something else. The other mace-head strap ends have small knops or spikes instead of perforations and also, they are more usually cast solid rather than hollow.Not dissimilar decoration can be seen on an unidentified object excavated in Exeter (Allan 1984, 346, 348; ref. 228) from a 16th-century context. A drawing of a probable parallel was published in the 'Searcher' (Issue 183, November 2000, 25; ref. 183/2), showing that this is a known object type rather than a one-off.