STIRRUP

A complete copper-alloy late early medieval or Viking age 11th century stirrup strap mount. No identical parallel can be found in Williams' classification of stirrup strap mounts but this example is most likely to fit into his Class B type 4; East Anglian type face mounts (Williams 1997, 95-98, fig 59-60, no 455-466). It is most likely to be Class B as it is sub-rectangular in shape with an incomplete apex loop and an angled flange. It measures 43.4mm in length and 26.4mm in width. It is most similar to other type 4 examples as it depicts a fully modelled mask with accentuated nose and eyes, it also has scalloped edges as the other East Anglian examples do. The mask has a protruding convex front face and a hollow back face. It has two large projecting triangular shaped ears, decorated with deep grooves, between these ears there is an incomplete apex loop. Below the ears the mask is oval in shape and is delimited by an oval border groove. The mask has a prominent brow with double sloping grooves above the bulging eyes. Each eye has a circular indentation in its centre. The nose is moulded and defined by deep groove which run down either side of it from the brow, it is long flaring towards its tip. The entire mask has scalloped edges as mentioned above. The flange is angled and has a central iron rivet and a mass of corroded iron on its back face, probably the remains of an iron strap.