Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
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Unique ID: LVPL-52542B
Object type certainty: Certain
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status: Published
A complete copper-alloy, two part enamelled and gilded harness pendant of Medieval date, c. AD1250-1400.
The outer frame is an elaborate sexfoil in shape with an open centre within which a sexfoil pendant sits. Between each of the cinquefoil projections a raised collared projection sits.
The sexfoil pendant has a hexagonal central body with six trefoil shaped lobes projecting from the sides. One of these projections extends to form a suspension loop which is turned through 90° to the plane of the pendant. The suspension loop is attached to the outer frame with an axis bar. The outer face of the sexfoil pendant is enamelled with azure on the dexter (left) side and gules on the sinister (right) side. A liner strip of gilding separates the dexter and sinister fields. Within the field of gules is a possible flower however it may have formed due to corrosion rather than intentionally. Each of the six lobes surrounding the central enamelling are also gilded.
Similar enameled pendants with flower-like motifs which can be found on the database are LEIC-DCFF44 and IOW-C7B830.
Traces of gilding remain on the outer frame and the rear of the object. Azure is the heraldic term for blue and Gules is the term for red.
The harness pendant dates to the Medieval period and were most popular in the 13th and early 14th century (Griffiths, N. 1986 Horse Harness Pendants Finds Research Group Datasheet No. 5).
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Length: 44 mm
Width: 31 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 24.3 g
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Enamel
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Heraldic
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.