Record ID: BH-53D847 - MEDIEVAL book fitting

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BOOK FITTING

Unique ID: BH-53D847

Object type certainty: Certain

A resized image of Medieval book clasp (incomplete)

An incomplete copper-alloy book clasp, dating from the Late Medieval period.

The piece represents the lower portion of a composite clasp. The upper part of the surviving piece has a rectangular 'plate', from each of the two top corners of which projects a right angled, perforated lug. The now-missing axis bar would originally have been contained within these lugs and would also have held in place an upper element, creating a hinged fitting. The aforementioned plate has an incised groove around its perimeter; this in turn contains an incised saltire, each of the quarters created also engraved with a pair of short grooves which extend inwards from the perimeter border, giving the impression of an incomplete cross. A single rivet hole, located just below centre, would have attached the fitting to the book cover. A short, parallel-sided right angled projection at the base of the rectangular plate gives way to a stylised zoomorphic head. This head is of trapezoidal section, with moulded lobes used to depict the beast's ears. An angled ridge, flanked by grooves, represents the eyes or brow. From the base of the head projects a horizontally perforated loop for attachment of a binding cord. The object measures 29.4mm long, 15.9mm wide, 4.2mm thick and weighs 6.2g.

Examples of similar book clasps were found in excavations in London (see Egan 1998: 278-280/fig. 214), in contexts dating from the mid 14th to mid 15th centuries. The London finds are illustrated alongside a photograph of a Late Medieval girdle book from the New York Public Library collection, which retains its binding straps, complete with such fittings (ibid).

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1500

Dimensions and weight

Length: 29.4 mm
Width: 15.9 mm
Thickness: 4.2 mm
Weight: 6.2 g
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Manufacture method: Cast [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Completeness: Incomplete [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Region: East
County: Bedfordshire
District: South Bedfordshire
To be known as: Great Billington

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]
General landuse: Cultivated land [scope notes]
Specific landuse: Character undetermined [scope notes]

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 18th December 2011

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Mr Julian Watters - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Mr Julian Watters - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

Other reference: Ver 12/2 - 2

References cited

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