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HARNESS MOUNT
Unique ID: BH-164894
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A copper-alloy harness pendant suspension mount of Medieval date.
The mount takes the form of a truncated cross, the lower vertical arm, which represents the hanger, being significantly shorter than the other three arms. At the centre of the hanger is a moulded square with flat surface. The three long arms flare outwards from this block, two projecting horizontally, the other straight up. The form of each arm is identical, being of 'D-shaped' section, a transverse ridge marking the start of a moulded terminal with 'drop-shaped' projection at the end. A single rivet hole is situated within each terminal, the uppermost retaining its copper-alloy rivet and having a sub-circular 'stop' on the reverse. The hanger has been formed by bending backwards an integrally-cast tab with central vertical slit, forming a loop into which a copper-alloy axis bar has been fitted.
The surfaces of the mount are heavily corroded but retain traces of gilding. It measures 57.6mm wide, 42.3mm high and 4.4mm thick (not including the rivet). The weight is13.31g.
A similar suspension mount was found at Ingoldisthorpe, Norfolk, in association with a shield-shaped pendant (see Ashley 2002: fig. 13, no. 105). The majority of dated shield-shaped pendants were produced in the late 13th to 14th century.
Class: pendant suspension mount
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 42.3 mm
Width: 57.6 mm
Thickness: 4.4 mm
Weight: 13.31 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 14th March 2010
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Ver 10/98 - 30
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: East Hertfordshire (District)
To be known as: Furneux Pelham
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley, S. | 2002 | Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk | Dereham | East Anglian Archaeology | fig. 13, no. 105 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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