Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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Unique ID: NMGW-3FE865
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Cast bronze strap fitting probably of Late Bronze Age date, c. 12th to 7th century BC The decorative strap fitting is circular and resembles a button with a diameter of 20.37 -20.97mm and a weight of 4.5g. The rear of the fitting has a central integral loop with a length of 10.17mm, a maximum width of 7.52mm (minimum width 3.17mm) and a depth of 3.68mm (2.3mm internal). The surface of the rear is coarse and unfinished. The rear is concave and displays a cast 'channel' for guiding a thin strap, the interior of the cannel is more even than the surrounding surface. The front of the fitting comprises two raised concentric circles and a central knop, divided by cast rounded channels. The head has a thickness of 3.9mm. The edge of the fitting is rounded and the central knop projects slightly above the raised circles, giving the fitting a maximum depth of 6.95mm. The fitting has areas of good surface preservation with a mid-brown patina.
Notes:
These fittings are unusual finds and can be paralleled with examples in a hoard of Late Bronze Age decorative strap fittings and horse-gear found at Abergele, Conwy (Savory, 1980, pp 119, Nos. 269-271) of Wilberton metalworking phase, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 6 dated to, to c. 1,150 - 950BC. A close parallel may be seen in an example recovered from a 9th to 7th century BC context in Wiltshire and in Wiltshire Heritage Museum , published by Read (2005, pp1, No. 2) . The Wilshire example has lost its loop, which appears to have been slight and more delicate than this example.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Quantity: 1
Length: 10.17 mm
Width: 7.52 mm
Thickness: 3.9 mm
Weight: 4.5 g
Diameter: 20.97 mm
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference: NMGWPA 2006.55.1
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Needham, S.P. | 1996 | Chronology and periodisation in the British Bronze Age | Copenhagen | Wiley | |||
Read, B. | 2005 | Metal Buttons c. 900 BC - c. AD 1700 | Langport | Portcullis Publishing | |||
Savory, H.N. | 1980 | Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections | Cardiff | National Museums and Galleries of Wales |