STIRRUP

A slightly worn and corroded, but complete cast copper-alloy stirrup-strap mount of late early-medieval date (11th century AD). It belongs to Williams' Class A and can be classified as a Type 10A mount (Williams 1997, 53ff.; fig. 36). The mount is pear or teardrop shaped. At its apex is an oval suspension loop with off-centre circular perforation. The object is convex, with moulded decoration on its uppermost surface depicting a coiled animal. The animal is seen from above, with its head at the apex. The two ears are comma shaped, and joined together, the snout faceted and the eyes are moulded pellets. One element curves round to the left and continues round the edge of the mount, around the base before curling back on itself. The leg to the right is far shorter and travels straight down, travelling over the main curling element. At the junction of these two legs, below the head, is an incised swirl. Thinner strands forming tail and paws, interlace over and below the main legs, emerging on either side below the head in 'tendrils'. Below the apex loop is a moulded transverse bar, the whole with of the artefact, probably the creature's snout. The lower surface of the mount is concave and plain. At its base is a right-angled flange, narrower than the base at 19.6mm, and trapezoidal in shape. In each corner towards the base is a circular rivet hole. The object has corroded to a dark red-brown colour with overlying green corrosion product on both surfaces.