STRAP FITTING

A complete cast copper alloy medieval swivel. The swivel is circular in plan and oval in profile, with a square sectioned copper alloy arm projecting from the centre of each of the sides. Both of the arms are broadly rectangular in plan, with rounded corners at the ends, and a circular incision through two opposite sides. One of the arms has a rounded collar where it enters a circular incision in the body of the swivel, beyond which it flares out. This arm rotates freely within the swivel. The second arm does not rotate. The sides of the arms through which incisions do not run are decorated with crosses with lozenge shaped arms, set within a lozenge shaped recess. There is also a raised circular design on each side of the body of the swivel, with recessed lines radiating outwards. The swivel has a well developed green patina, but there are also lighter green areas of corrosion visible, and the surface is heavily pitted. However, the swivel is in good overall condition. The swivel is 38.9mm long from end to end of the arms, and it has a maximum diameter of 29.1mm. The swivel has a mass of 41.5g. In, "The Medieval Household", Egan (1998, p.296) points to possible uses of swivels as leads for pets and also to suspend cooking pots over the fire. Egan (ibid. and figure 225) suggests that copper alloy chain swivel reference 970 (dated to c.1350-c.1400) may be from a lead for a pet such as a dog, as this would seem a more appropriate use of a copper alloy swivel than the suspension of a cooking pot. Such an application is also possible for the decorated swivel recorded here, which is also medieval.