STRAP END

An incomplete copper alloy strap end of Late Early Medieval dating (1000 AD to 1100 AD).

Around 50% of the strap end is present, consisting of the top half with the attachment rivets. The strap end was originally tongue shaped. The upper (attachment) end is recessed on the front for a missing separate plate. Two circular attachment rivets are present at the top of the strap end. They have a diameter of 2.5 mm. 

The main body is probably decorated with a central anthropomorphic figure cast in high relief, with openwork details. Only the top part of the figure is present, with double U curves probably representing the head or hair, with a circular hole to either side. These holes have an internal diameter of 3.9 mm. The reverse is flat. 

It measures 26.1 mm in length, 21.5 mm wide and 3.3 mm thick. It weighs 8.0 g.

The strap end is a mid brown colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

Several similar openwork tongue shaped strap ends have been recorded on the PAS database. These include: KENT-CE4773, NMS-1AA6FA, NMS-75299D, NMS-FDC8C8 and BH-128CAD. These are all considered to be consistent with that classified as a Thomas Class C, Type 2 strap end. These exhibit similar designs to some stirrup strap mounts (Williams Class A, type 3). The Class E strap ends were popular on the Carolingian continent and in Scandinavia during the 9th and 10th Centuries, where one of its regular uses was to embellish baldrics.