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HARNESS MOUNT
Unique ID: BH-D2EF33
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 which bears a gilded pattern of cross-hatched lines. 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 trapezoidal section, a transverse ridge marking the start of a moulded terminal with rounded ends and a narrower projecting lobe. A single rivet hole is situated within each terminal. The hanger has been formed by bending backwards an integrally-cast tab (damaged on one side) with central vertical slit, forming a loop into which a copper-alloy axis bar would have been fitted. The surfaces of the mount are heavily corroded but retain other traces of gilding. It measures 46.5mm wide, 39.7mm high and 5.2mm thick. The weight is 9.79g.
A close parallel for this mount, BH-164894, was found a short distance away. The suggested date range was late 13th to 14th century, based on the dating of a similar mount and attached pendant from Ingoldisthorpe, Norfolk (Ashley 2002: fig. 13, no. 105).
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: 39.7 mm
Width: 46.5 mm
Thickness: 5.2 mm
Weight: 9.79 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 31st December 2010
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Ver 11/58 - 13
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 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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