MOUNT

An early Anglo-Saxon copper-alloy openwork terminal. The terminal has a rounded end that tapers towards the bottom (from 9.37mm to 5.61mm). The flat lower edge has an apparently unworn break with the same dark green patina as the surface.

Within the terminal is an openwork motif of a stylised human figure gripping two upright rods which may be spears, staves or lurs (long trumpets). The figure has eyes and mouth depicted, and appears to be wearing a robe with a horizontal band, possibly a belt. The arms are bent outwards at the elbows and end in large hands. There appears to be some swelling to the chest. Below the belt, the legs are not clearly delineated, and may have been wholly or partly removed by the break at the base. There is a horned head-dress running across the top of the head, with the horns curving upwards and touching the tops of the spears before ending in Style II predatory birds' heads with angled headframes. The birds' beaks touch at the top.

The reverse is flat and undecorated, and there are visible file marks to neaten it after casting. There are no visible means of attachment. From the details of the ornament, and similar horned figures (e.g. the Finglesham buckle), this object should be dated to the first half of the 7th century AD.

Dimensions: length 23.71mm; width 9.37mm; thickness 1.85mm; weight 2.02g