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HARNESS PENDANT
Unique ID: KENT-D36A86
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A medieval copper alloy harness pendant with enamel decoration. The pendant is flat and quatrefoil in plan. At the top of the quatrefoil is an integral circular suspension loop set at right angles to the front face and with a circular perforation. The front face of the pendant is decorated with a central lozenge shaped panel containing a lion on a red (gules) enamel field. Above, below and to the left and right of the central panel are crude fleur de lis, the background to which is filled with the corroded remains of blue enamel. There are perhaps traces of gilding suggesting that the raised sections of the pendant (borders and fleur de lis) may have originally been gilded. Ashley (2002 page 38) suggests that such arms are those of England as used between 1198 and 1340 however the fleur de lis alludes to the claim to the French throne which was shown in the arms post 1340. The use of the Lozenge is usually for an unmarried daughter or widow. The pendant measures 38.7mm in height including the loop, 29.7mm in width, 2.6 mm in thickness excluding the loop, 7.2 mm including, and weighs 9.8g.
Notes:
Arms: England and France (allusive)
Class: heraldic
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 38.7 mm
Width: 29.7 mm
Thickness: 2.6 mm
Weight: 9.8 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 14th October 2008
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Dover (District)
To be known as: Guston
Spatial coordinates
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley, S. | 2002 | Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk | Dereham | East Anglian Archaeology | 23 |
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