Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
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Unique ID: WMID-4A43B7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy terminal for a stirrup, of Late Early Medieval dating (c. 1050 - c. 1100 AD)
The terminal is sub triangular. The terminal has an incomplete and hollow U-shaped back face that terminates in old breaks. From the base of the terminal projects the stylised beast, which has a long neck that curves round to face back up the stirrup, creating a circular aperture. Two flattened and rounded crests run from the top of the beast's head towards the foot of the terminal and on both faces of the terminal above the central aperture are moulded oval shaped indentations representing the eyes.
It measures 42.2 mm in length, 25.5 mm wide and 10.9 mm thick. The sides of the socket are 2.3 mm thick. It weighs 23.2 grams.
The stirrup terminal is a mid brown colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
This stirrup terminal is similar to that in Fig 3 (Williams, 1997, 2), depicting a crested animal head. These types of terminal enclose the stirrup arm completely and tend to found in the East Anglia and Lincolnshire areas. It has been dated to the late 11th century AD. A similar terminal has been recorded on the PAS database as WMID-097191.
Reference:
Williams, D. 1997. Stirrup Terminals. Finds Research Group Datasheet 24. Finds Research Group 700-1700. Stoke-on-Trent.
Class:
terminal
Sub class: Williams Class A
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1050
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Quantity: 1
Length: 42.2 mm
Width: 25.5 mm
Thickness: 10.9 mm
Weight: 23.2 g
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Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.