MOUNT

A complete figurative, flat copper alloy strap fitting or belt mount of Post Medieval date (AD 1600 to AD 1700). The mount is in the form of a stylised acorn, and includes on the reverse two broken-off integrally cast attachment spikes.

The front of the mount is convex, and the reverse concave. The general shape is a pointed oval with an short forked extension at the bottom end representing the twig of the tree from which the acorn has sprouted. A rounded extension at the top represents the growing tip of the acorn.

The lower half of the mount is cross-hatched to resemble the acorn cup, with dots in the centre of each lozenge. The half representing the acorn is smooth, mostly plain apart from two facing raised swirls. The two halves are separated by a raised band. The reverse is plain and undecorated.

The measures 45.2 mm in length, 26.4 mm wide and 6.3 mm thick. It weighs 8.8 grams.

The mount is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. 

The mount is similar to other examples recorded on the PAS database, including WMID-4156CF, WMID-290D2E and WMID-87E6F6

Mounts in similar form and style have been published by Brian Read in Metal artefacts of antiquity: A catalogue of small finds from specific areas of the United Kingdom (2001) and dated to c. 1600-1700 AD (Read 2001: 29, fig. 22, refs: 331-334).

Reference info:
Read, B. 2001 Metal artefacts of antiquity: A catalogue of small finds from specific areas of the United Kingdom Langport Portcullis Publishing 29 (description of fig. 22 on P 37figures 331-334