UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

An object of unknown purpose, made of wrought iron and copper alloy. It consists of a circular iron plate, with a trapezoidal raised area, from which spring two loops. Through these loops passes an iron bar, which stops short of the edge of the plate on one side. On the other side, it bends away from the plate, but is broken off at this bend. The round plate is riveted to a copper alloy boss, shaped like a miniature shield boss; the three rivets are copper alloy. The ironwork is heavy and crude, and very heavily concreted. The copper alloy is better preserved, with a rough texture and light greyish-green colour, with small patches of reddish brown. The rivet heads seem to be shaped like roses. Clearly the copper alloy component is decorative, and would once have been shiny gold in appearance. It is possible that the iron plate once extended further outwards; the heavy corrosion makes it hard to tell. The item could have incorporated a layer of wood or leather. It seems that it was originally intended to swivel on the iron bar. The style of the rivets suggests a Medieval or later date. The robust nature of the find hints perhaps at horse harness, or some other similar heavy equipment.