Rights Holder: Winchester Museums Service
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
SCABBARD
Unique ID: HAMP-A201E7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy Medieval (c.1100-1200) openwork and probably zoomorphic scabbard chape from a dagger or knife. It measures 33.39mm in length, 22.84mm at its widest part and is 5.30mm thick. It weighs 6.58g.
The chape is constructed from a single piece of copper alloy, folded over and joined at the opposite edge by a single in situ rivet. The design is mirrored on both sides and is possibly in the form of a horse and rider, although it is rather debased in style. It is roughly triangular in shape with an upright (missing through an old break on one side) representing the rider and a diagonal strip possibly representing reins extending to the centre of the object, a quarter-circle in shape. Projecting downwards from here are possible legs decorated with linear grooves. Projecting horizontally from the 'front' leg is a possible neck, terminating in the 'head', which is the folded part of the chape.
A number of comparable chapes have been recorded on this database, all in varying states of survival: KENT-56A628, WAW-03F886. Chapes of this period are being studied by Peter Woods (Chapes Research Project).
Class: chape
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1200
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 33.39 mm
Width: 22.84 mm
Thickness: 5.3 mm
Weight: 6.58 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 23rd December 2011
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: E3564 Winchester Museums Object Entry form
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Hursley
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Centred on village (which isn't a parish)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SUSS-77F477
Object type: SCABBARD
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
A late early-medieval copper-alloy scabbard chape, dating to the 11th century. The chape has an openwork zoomorphic form representing a winge…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: HAMP-1DA880
Object type: SCABBARD
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An incomplete cast copper-alloy openwork sword scabbard chape of medieval date (c. 12th century AD). The object is formed of a sheet with cut…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: BH-9406A5
Object type: SCABBARD
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
A fragment of a copper-alloy openwork scabbard chape of Early-Medieval to Medieval date.
The surviving piece represents the front portion …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618