STRAP FITTING

A cast copper alloy medieval two-piece swivel. It consists of a pair of identical oval frames each with an circular cross-sectioned D-shaped loop ending in zoomorphic terminals attached to solid hemispherical centres. The animals have strong moulding on the head, with brows, ears and eyes being well-defined. Their muzzles are long with incised parallel lines on the upper jaw running from the brow ridge to the lip and their mouths open, clasping the centrepiece. The hemisperical centre pieces are attached to a central band creating a solid oval centre to the object, each hemisphere has a row of short transverse lines around the edge. The central band is an area filled with corrosion product, obscuring the manner in which the two halves are attached, but other examples have a socket on one side and a bolt on the other, see SF-CA5816. The loops of the fitting measure 20.5mm at the widest point and 2.4mm thick at the point opposite the centre; the central oval is 15.3mm long by 13.3mm wide and 12.6mm thick; the overal length is 40.8mm; the object weighs 16.47 grams.

Such sqivels were used on a range of strap fittings including animal leashes, hanging purses and sword belt fittings and were probably in use for the entire Medieval period.