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BOOK FITTING
Unique ID: HAMP-76CC32
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast copper alloy book clasp of Howsam type A.1.1, dating to the Medieval period. It consists of a D-shaped plate (plano-convex in cross-section, being flat to the reverse and max.4.34mm thick) with two incomplete (old breaks) lugs extending from the straight edge, which would have held a separate hinge bar. At the centre of the plate is a perforation 2.89mm in diameter. This would have fitted over a peg on the cover of the book. Projecting from the centre of the curved edge is a zoomorphic terminal with a 2.41mm diameter perforation at its centre, set at 90 degrees to the plate. Egan suggests this perforation may have held a cord to assist in the opening of the clasp (1998; 277-280).
A horizontal ridge flanks the straight edge, and this is decorated with several lines of punched annulets. Further punched annulets in a linear arrangement fill the area from half way along the central perforation to the curved edge.
The reverse is undecorated but shows a diagonal possible slash or cut mark. The book clasp measures 26.06mm in length, 17.03mm in max.width, 7.15mm in max.depth (at the zoomorphic terminal) and weighs 6.07g.
For similar examples and a discussion of the type, see Egan 1998 (ibid). London examples have been found in contexts which date from the late 14th to early 15th century.
Class:
clasp
Sub class: Howsam type A.1.1
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1350
Date to: Circa AD 1450
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26.06 mm
Width: 17.03 mm
Thickness: 7.15 mm
Weight: 6.07 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Winchester Museums Entry Form No. 3829
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Stamped
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: East Hampshire (District)
To be known as: Steep
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egan, G. | 1998 | The Medieval Household: Daily Living c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) | London | The Stationery Office | 277-280 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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