STRAP END

A near complete copper alloy strap end of Early Medieval date (likely 8th or earlier 9th centuries AD). The strap end is likely Thomas Class A Type 2 (Patterned), with a split end, slightly convex sides and a stylised zoomorphic terminal. The attachment end terminates in a break at the twin rivets, which are still present and appear to be made of green patinated copper or copper alloy.  

The reverse of the strap end is undecorated, with some potential file marks. The lower half of the reverse face is encrusted by what appears to be mixture of iron and copper corrosion products.  

The front face of the strap end is highly decorated in geometric style with a heavily stylised zoomorphic terminal. The snout of the terminal is almost maltese cross shaped, with smaller laterally projecting arms and a central forked cell filled with probable niello. The eyes are sub circular and conjoined, with pacman-shaped cells, missing most of their niello. The central geometric panel is flanked by wavy edges likely imitating beading, and the riveted end has a design of curvilinear cells. The central panel itself is dominated a curvilinear design of a linear single cell, forked at both ends and crossed by a transverse bar cell filled with square pellets. There are niello filled cells filling the spaces between the forked arms and in the quarters around the transverse bar. The precise designs of these cells are indistinct due to encrusting corrosion products. 

XRF analysis was conducted by Louise Mumford to assess whether the strap end qualified as potential Treasure under the Treasure Act (1996). The body of the object was found to emit heavy signals of copper, lead and some tin, suggesting that it is formed of a copper alloy, potentially leaded bronze. The black inlay on the cells was found to emit heavy signals of silver, indicative of niello. 

Length: 43.8mm 

Width: 10.1mm 

Thickness (Attachment): 3.2mm 

Thickness (Plate): 2.4mm 

Weight: 3.94g