MOUNT

A copper-alloy cruciform mount of 6th century date.

The mount is symmetrical, with four equal-sized arms. Each arm has convex sides and terminates in a flat sub-circular plate. Three of these four plates are intact. One contains a circular rivet hole, the damaged plate has an in-situ copper-alloy rivet and the remaining two are unperforated. The central design of the mount is formed of 'chip-carved' decoration, a pattern of steep ridges separated by 'v' shaped grooves. The central element consists of a low domed sub-circular boss within a lozenge-shaped ridge border, the inner angles being marked by four small triangular mouldings. Separated by from the inner lozenge by a groove is a second ridge, this latter one having a ropework moulding. A further groove separates this ridge from the plain outer rim. The design retains a significant amount of gilding and there are also traces of a black substance, which may be niello. The reverse of the mount is flat and plain. It measures 56.9mm long, 56.7mm wide and 3.3mm thick. The weight is 15.24g.

The suggested date range is based on the similarities between this mount and another recorded on the PAS database, from Derbyshire - DENO-A99AB3. In addition to having a very similar decorative content to this piece, the Derbyshire example also bears a zoomorphic/anthropomorphic terminal comparable to those often depicted on the more common great square-headed brooch. The mount is likely to have been used on horse harness.