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MOUNT
Unique ID: NMS-8348C5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Heavily cast Carolingian gilt copper alloy mount, rectangular, slightly tapering toward one end, decorated in deep counter-relief with two flat circular bosses alternating with semi-circular bosses, one at each angle and two addorsed at the mid-point of the long sides. Each of the eight bosses has the remains of appliqué silver sheet, decorated with small stamped annulets. The outer edge of the mount is transversely scalloped, as are the outer edges of those bosses bordering the mount. The slightly recessed field between the bosses is filled with gilt curvilinear scrolling ribs with multiple transverse notches. The reverse is flat with the stump of a rectangular-sectioned lug at both ends, both are flat and both appear to have been chopped or filed down in preparation for the re-use of the mount. Width 18mm-17mm. Length 47.5 mm. 5 mm thick. Weighs 21.94g. 9th century.
It may be that this piece of Carolingian metalwork arrived from the Continent as a result of Viking activity, possibly as part of a sword belt or harness. Cf. Carolingian square and rectangular mounts in The Making of England catalogue (L.Webster and J. Backhouse, eds., London, 1991), no. 256; G. Bersu & D.M.Wilson, 1966, Three Viking Graves in the Isle of Man, 40-1, pl. 8a, and E. Wamers & M. Brandt, 2005, Die Macht des Silbers. Karolingische Schätze im Norden, cat. nos. 36d.1-4. Others are shown in Thomas (2012) 'Carolingian Culture in the North Sea World' EJA 15.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 800
Date to: Circa AD 900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 47.5 mm
Width: 18 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 21.94 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 20th October 2013 - Monday 18th November 2013
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: 36232
Other reference: NMD112013
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Silver
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: North Norfolk (District)
Parish or ward: Ludham (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TG3918
Four figure Latitude: 52.70685759
Four figure longitude: 1.53643955
1:25K map: TG3918
1:10K map: TG31NE
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas, G. | 2012 | Carolingian culture in the North Sea world: rethinking the cultural dynamics of personal adornment in Viking age England. | Europe | European Journal of Archaeology |
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