STRAP FITTING

Complete cast copper alloy swivel strap distributor, possibly from a dog's lead. The main body of the object is globular with an oval section. It is hollow. It is decorated with five lozenge shaped cut outs around its circumference with diagonal incised lines between. There is a circular hole to either side of the globule, around which is five small circular piercings as decoration. Extending from either hole is a swivel link. Each link has a D shaped loop, which sits upon a wasted 'neck' or short shaft. Each neck is decorated with incised lines around its circumference. Extending from the bottom of the neck is the narrower, circular sectioned shaft that fits into the hole of the globular body. This shaft flares and expands so that it cannot slide out of the hole, but is thin enough to swivel within it. The D shaped loop terminates to each side with the moulded head of a swan, all now much worn. The original surface of the object is missing and it now shows exposed light green surfaces. There are significant patches of orangey brown corrosion product on most surfaces. The complete object is 58.84mm long, of which 20.6mm is the globular body. It is 29.24mm wide across the body, and each loop is 20mm wide. The object weighs 50.54g. Read 2001, Metal artefacts of antiquity, number 483, is a similar, though not identical, complete strap distributor with swan head loops. Read comments that it is not known with absolute certainty if these objects come from dog's leads. Based on this example, this object is dated to the 11th century, though it is likely such objects were used throughout the medieval period.