STIRRUP

A complete cast copper-alloy stirrup-strap mount of late early-medieval date (c. 11th century). It has an openwork sub-lozengiform frame sitting on a flat base. At the opposite end from the base is the rounded apex loop; the (iron) rivet is missing. From the apex loop the mount flares out at an angle of forty-five degrees to the longitudinal axis; from this wide point it narrows at a forty-five degree angle before stabilising at the base. The main lozengiform field is divided by a diagonal cross creating four lozenge-shaped holes. The cross features a central circular pellet. There are further pellets on the same horizontal alignment: two, one at each corner of the diamond. There is also a pellet at each end of the arms of the cross. A pair of pellets is located below the apex loop: one either side of the lozenge. There is also a pellet at the lozenge's basal apex. This pellets do not all sit at the edge of the lozenge; they are often within a low rounded protrusion. These protrusions combine to the give lozenge a wavy or sinuous edge. The wavy quality to the edge, as well as the 'extra' pellets directly below the apex loop, is not readily paralleled in the main reference work (Williams 1997, 72-76; figs. 46-48); more generally, this stirrup-strap mount is of Williams's Class A, Type 12. The basal flange is angled obliquely (ibid., 25; fig. 18c). Remnants of an iron rivet in the ?central hole are apparent in the flange. This mount has corroded to a red-brown colour over which are some patches of lighter corrosion product. The object is likely to date from the first quarter of the 11th century to the early 12th century (ibid., 8).