STRAP FITTING

Cast copper alloy mount, diameter 39mm, thickness 8.5mm, weight 16.42g. The mount has a circular diameter and is slightly domed in cross section, outside edge is 1m thick the centre is 4mm thick. The face is decorated with a large crowned letter F in the centre, which is flanked by a leaf on either side, this decoration is slightly encrusted but appears to be chip carved. This is all within a plain circular border that is 6mm wide. The reverse is plan with the exception of a central integral rivet with a circular cross section standing at 7mm long, 4mm in diameter. The left edge has been struck, chipping a small fragment from the rim and bending that area upwards slightly, further evidence for impacts are two small nicks from the to of the rim, all are old. There is a encrusting of active corrosion on the surface, obscuring the detail slightly, but otherwise that edge is in a good condition with no signs of wear on the decoration. The reverse is encrusted with active corrosion. The object appears to have been dipped in oil. This style of mount has been described by Egan as armorial mounts (1991, 181-184). Mounts such as these are found on sword belts, such as the effigy of the Black Prince at Canterbury Cathedral (Egan, 1991, 184) or the brass or Sir John and Lady Harsick (Alexander and Binski, 1987, 251). Therefore mounts such as these are high status, and likely to only be associated with the upper epsilons of society.