UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A copper-alloy zoomorphic object with an iron core. The object consists of a curved shaft made of copper alloy, and a zoomorphic head at one end. The head has an outward facing “face” with a pointed chin, two horizontal grooves across the middle, slanted rectangular eyes which are holes and pointed ears (of which one is broken). Back to back with this face is another which is much more functional. It has a similar shield shape and has two rectangular holes at the top which could be interpreted as eyes, and a vertical rectangular hole which could be a mouth or nose. The two faces are divided by a groove round the side of the terminal, but the both appear to be integral. The holes are all filled with iron corrosion and the terminal is reacts strongly to a magnet. The shaft protrudes from the base of the double head and is hexagonal in section. It immediately curves through 90 degrees towards the plain face (back?). It is broken at the other end which is sub rectangular in section. The total length of shaft and head is 39.5mm; it is 10.2mm wide and 7.8mm thick. It weighs 5.99gm. The object has a glossy brown patina which is flaking to reveal pale green metal. This object is probably medieval in date, but its function is a mystery. One suggestion is that it is the terminal of a belt hanger similar to BH-4A9D88.