Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: SF-F06255
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper-alloy object, probably a strap fitting or slide of Early-Medieval date. It has a flat rectangular plate, on the back face of which at either end are single integrally cast rectangular lugs that are missing their outer edges due to old breaks. The front face of the plate has extensive chip carved decoration. This comprises a rectangular border containing at its centre a band of punched pellet shaped motifs. At the centre of the plate is a chip carved motif within a recessed field, the field possibly keyed to take enamel or similar decorative elements. The central motif has been examined by Dr. Kevin Leahy, PAS National Finds Advisor, who suggests that the combined decorative elements are in the Winchester Style and depict two facing birds or animals positioned with foliate decoration between and below them. Thus, at the top are heads with incurving beaks or snouts and bodies extending below in double-stranded decoration. Double diagonal ridges transect each body mid-way down its length and at their base are possibly claws or similar clutching the foliate motif. This is triangular in form with short grooves at the base and two punched crescentic motifs. The entire object measures 28.66mm in length, 21.82mm in width, 3.10mm in thickness and 10.04g in weight.
This is a Winchester Style strap slide of Early-Medieval date. Parallels with similar decorative elements suggest that it should date to the later Early-Medieval period, probably in the 10th century AD (K. Leahy, pers. comm.).
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Scandinavian style
Date from: Circa AD 900
Date to: Circa AD 1000
Quantity: 1
Length: 28.66 mm
Width: 21.82 mm
Thickness: 3.1 mm
Weight: 10.04 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 1st January 2012
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.