EARLY MEDIEVAL SCABBARD

1000

A fragment of a copper-alloy openwork scabbard chape, dating from the Early-Medieval to Medieval periods.The surviving piece represents the back portion from one side of an originally double-sided chape. The relief-moulded scene with incised detail depicts a quadruped standing left, both of its hind legs clearly distinguishable. The elliptical element that extends diagonally across the body of the animal probably represents the shield of a seated rider. The leg of this rider emerges from beneath the shield, his foot resting on the top of a perforated lug which interrupts an otherwise plain, straight-sided border. A second rivet hole is located at the bottom right-hand corner of the piece. The inner face of the plate is flat.Length: 22.7mm; height: 22.8mm; thickness: 3.7mm. Weight: 5.54g.The PAS database holds further examples of these artefacts, including a near complete example, BH-71DB92, from Redbourn, Hertfordshire. Another parallel, BERK-3228B7, from Warborough, Oxfordshire, is discussed by Michael Lewis (Treasure Hunting Magazine, September 2012, p. 77), who describes it as a 'knife or dagger scabbard chape', comparing the shield to those illustrated on the Bayeux Tapestry (c. 1070), and suggesting an 11th or 12th century date. Although usually described as being a depiction of a knight on horseback, the recorder of this example notes that the quadruped bears a greater resemblance to a lion.