Rights Holder: Durham County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: DUR-7BDE31
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy strap mount dating to the Late Iron Age (c.50BC-AD100).
The openwork mount comprises a looped drop-shaped, sometimes called 'lyre-shaped', frame with the ends of the loop curling to form two backed together C shaped curls leading outwards to support two conjoined roundels at the terminal. At the upper end the loop frame is somewhat thinner (1.35mm) and a further loop, D-shaped in section, has been superimposed forming a distinct upper circle. At the apex of the circle (and thus the mount) a stud projects forward from the face, comprising a circular-sectioned shaft (5.38mm diameter) with a discoidal undecorated flat head (11.4mm diameter, 2.35mm thick). Within this superimposed circle, at the upper interior edge, project two stunted legs of an off-centre triskele (at approximately 10 and 1 o'clock in the circular frame), with a circular hole (6.7mm diameter) at the centre of the triskele. The third leg of the triskele sweeps leftward before turning back on itself and joining, close to the lower frame, with a semi-circular lug that projects (between 4 and 5 o'clock) from the circular frame. The lug is decorated with a single small stud (5.38mm diameter), positioned at the upper edge. The two conjoined roundels at the base of the mount are virtually identical, and comprise a circular flat boss set within a deep circumferential recess. The outer edge of the left roundel is somewhat corroded and partially missing.
On the reverse of the frame are three integrally cast sharp pointed conical spikes, two located to either side of the circular section ot the tope of the mount, the other position at the meeting point of the two C-shaped curls. At the apex of the mount (and top of the circular section) is a complete rectangular loop; a further rectangular loop is positioned opposite the former on the reverse of the two roundels. Both loops appear to be soldered into place, and were thus separately cast. Whilst intermittent filing marks (particularly visible on the reverse of the triskele) are present on the reverse the mount, it is otherwise is undecorated.
Whilst there is some evidence of active corrosion, and the damage noted above to one roundel, the mount is in otherwise good condition with dark greenish-brown patination
Dimensions: length 61.17mm; weight 37.8g; thickness of frame (at C-shaped curls) 4.44mm; thickness of frame (at superimposed circle) 4.88mm; diameter of upper circle 32.97mm; diameter of roundels 13.79mm; length of spikes 8.18mm (max); diameter of spikes (base) 4.8mm; width of loops 16.68mm (upper) 15.67mm (lower); height of loops 5.45mm.
As noted above, the form of this form of mount is often termed 'lyre-shaped' and three direct parallels are recorded on the PAS database: NMS-3E5C7E (Treasure Case 2020T360; two mounts were identified as part of an Iron Age hoard) and DENO-B67153. The latter mount is somewhat different in form and has three roundels at the base, but the style of the object conforms to the 'lyre-shape' and it has the characteristic three spikes and two loops on the reverse. The former two mounts (NMS-3E5C7E) are remarkably similar, although lacking the superimposed circular upper frame and internal triskele decoration. Both PAS records for these mounts also note another example from Dragonby, Lincolnshire (May 1970; May 1996, 278, no.83, fig. 11.26), and the record for NMS-3E5C7E also cites examples from Pegsdon Common Farm, Shillington, Bedfordshire (site thought to be a religious sanctuary; Burleigh 2018, 6) and from the late Iron Age hillfort at Rainsborough, Northants (Fox 1958; Jope 2000, pl. 271, nos. d, e, f), all broadly dated from the Late Iron Age into the early Roman period c.50BC-100AD.
The record for the two mounts from Norfolk (NMS-3E5C7E) goes into some detail regarding the function of the mounts, stating that:
"The disc-headed stud which projects from the front is presumably to take a strap, perhaps passing through a slit or a loop. The loops on the reverse are presumably for straps; these would have been a little smaller than width c.11mm and thickness c.3mm. The straps would have had to double back over the loop, to avoid the spike or rivet next to it at the narrow end, and would presumably have done the same at the broad end. The spikes or rivets themselves are thick and and of unusual, perhaps somewhat impractical, conical profile for a rivet; they would have had little purchase on leather, and whatever they fixed the mount into would have to be so narrow that its edges would probably be visible within the openwork. Burleigh (2018, 6) has suggested instead that the spikes on the Pegsdon example could have held the mount proud of the strap, rather than fixing it to a base."
The record also notes that spiked cheekpieces are known from late Bronze Age onwards in the Mediterranean (Littauer 1969, 289-91, fig 1) and draws heavily on the work of Pauline Norris and her work on similar spiked mounts as part of Ancient Egyptian bridles. Her research has shown that mounts were likely used "as ‘bridle burrs’ or studded cheekpieces, fixed to the outer side of each bridle of a pair of horses harnessed to a vehicle. As the horses moved in parallel and close together, and the reins were run through terrets preventing a wide sideways pull, the blunt spikes on the cheekpieces were used to keep the horses from turning their heads outwards and to help in directional control.".
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: IRON AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: IRON AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa 50 BC
Date to: Exactly AD 100
Quantity: 1
Length: 61.17 mm
Width: 32.97 mm
Thickness: 18.31 mm
Weight: 37.8 g
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference: R563
4 Figure: NY8886
Four figure Latitude: 55.16816392
Four figure longitude: -2.18991594
1:25K map: NY8886
1:10K map: NY88NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.