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BRIDLE BIT
Unique ID: SUR-2ACFE5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Part of an openwork bridle cheekpiece of mid 11th century date. The object forms one side of a symmetrical cheekpiece and the thickness tapers inwards slightly from bottom to top. On the right hand side in the accompanying view is the edge of the circular aperture in which the end of the bit was fitted. The engraved ornament is in the Ringerike style, and describes an intertwined ribbon-like beast whose head is visible in profile at the top left. The body is formed of single and double strands and there is a terminating tendril at the bottom. The right hand side of the object together with the projecting bar and loop are all missing. The Ringerike style is the penultimate phase of late Viking-age art, and was used for most of the 11th century.
This object has been published in Geake (2006, 291; fig. 6f; see fig. 6g for a reconstruction drawing) and in Williams (2007, 3; fig. 3b).
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Include in MedArch
Class:
cheekpiece
Sub class: Williams Type 1
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Donated to Elmbridge Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Donated to a museum
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Scandinavian style
Date from: Circa AD 1020
Date to: Circa AD 1060
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 55 mm
Width: 34 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 31.2 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st October 2005
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: 05/758
Museum accession number: 4.2006
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Surrey (County)
District: Elmbridge (District)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TQ0765
Four figure Latitude: 51.373984
Four figure longitude: -0.464124
1:25K map: TQ0765
1:10K map: TQ06NE
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geake, H. | 2007 | Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2006: Portable Antiquities Scheme report | Leeds | Maney | 291 | 6f, 6g | |
| Williams, D. | 2007 | Anglo-Scandinavian Horse Harness Fittings. FRG datasheet 39 | London | Finds Research Group | 3 | 3b |
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Timeline of associated dates
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