STRAP FITTING

A flat circular copper alloy object, probably a strap mount or brooch , the front of which has a convex surface which is recessed in the centre around a central raised boss. The boss is covered in a smooth bright green substance, possibly decayed enamel. There are traces of possible silvering around the inner edge of the copper alloy rim, the silver appears in rounded blobs suggesting that it could have been in contact with fire. The rear of the item is slightly convex with two rectangular lugs to one edge with circular notches cut out of them suggesting the possibility that a bar for a hinge went between them. Toward the other edge there are two attachments, 2.9mm in diameter, one of which has been broken off at a length of 4.8mm, the other has been bent over at 90 degrees and is 18mm in length. It is possible these attachments represent the end of a U shaped wire catch that clipped over the other lugs around a strap. There is a small round rivet, 2.2mm in diameter in the centre of the rear of the brooch. This could suggest that the central boss has been riveted on to the cast brooch. The brooch is 30.2mm in diameter and 5.7mm in thickness and weighs 13.7 grams. The size and shape of the brooch along with the use of enamel or frit suggests this could be an Anglo-Saxon type but similar examples could not be found in the usual sources. Disk brooches with central raised bosses or centrally set glass insets are known from the Roman period, the former were popular in the 2nd century and the latter continued in use from the 2nd to the 5th century AD. However this example is cruder than most Roman or Anglo Saxon examples and the form of attachment is very different. Roman brooches in particular consistantly have wide catch plates to hold the pin.