BOOK FITTING

incomplete cast copper-alloy book fitting, dating to the medieval period, c. AD 1350-1450. The fitting appears to be of Howsam class A.1. The main body of the fitting is comprised of a circular central portion 10.8mm in height, with a drilled hole at the centre. from one edge emerges a zoomorphic head pointing downward, toward the base of the fitting. On it can be seen moulded decoration depicting ears, as well as a constriction defining the snout or muzzle, and beneath, an incised line defining the mouth.

Opposite the animal head terminal on the other side of the circular central portion, there is a slight grooved constriction before a rectangular shaped tab emerges, similar in height to that of the circular central portion. The rectangular tab terminates in a slightly raised lip, from which a lug emerges, perpendicular to the terminal edge of the rectangular tab. This lug is partially damaged, though likely acted as a central hinge bar, forming what would have been a composite hinged artefact.

This item is interesting as no other examples currently recorded on the database show this method of hinge construction, as most fittings of this type feature two lugs emerging from the end of the tab, holding a hinge bar, as in WREX-DACF1C and BUC-B7EF37 (the latter is listed as type A.1.2). 

The patina is dark green in colour. The underside of the fitting is undecorated and very slightly concave.

Dimensions: weight: 42.7g, length: 50.3mm, width: 18.7mm, height: 12.5mm