PADLOCK

An incomplete Medieval cast copper-alloy zoomorphic barb-spring (barrel) padlock case (1100-1250).

This zoomorphic padlock is in the form of a stylised quadruped, perhaps a horse or dog. The body, which accommodated the barb-spring mechanism, is hollow and roughly oval in cross-section. There are the corroded remains of the iron mechanism within. The body of the animal is almost intact and is damaged on one side where it is torn and squashed. The fore legs point forwards slightly and are larger than the rear legs. The hollow head projects forwards and slightly downwards. It has an oval mouth and the hole extends to the back of the head. On top of the head there is an incised or engraved saltire cross. Ears are only just apparent. Grooves on the neck may represent a mane. Other grooves, now incomplete, may indicate a saddle. The bolt and hasp are missing.

This padlock is corroded and has patches of a mid-green patina.

Length: 41.1mm; width: 27.4mm; thickness: 13.6mm. Weight: 15.28g.

A similar example can be seen in Bailey 1997: 43, no. 4.

A parallel for this padlock was found in excavations in Winchester (see Biddle 1990: 1011, fig. 313, ref: 3665).

Similar padlocks have been recorded on The Portable Antiquities Scheme database. See finds: BH-DA5807; BUC-310083; BERK-F6BF18; DENO-45B8B6; DENO-729F97; DEV-491751; ESS-BEB511; HAMP3430; LVPL-1E8DF7; NLM-5CBA15; NMS-1F3472; NMS-3C0C96; NMS-D562B4; SUSS-748045; SWYOR-E9B1C4; SWYOR-DA4617 and WMID-25A164.

The suggested date range is 12th to early 13th century, though barrel padlocks were used from the 12th to 16th century. Such padlocks would probably have served to secure small caskets.