Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
MOUNT
Unique ID: SUSS-052A12
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Early Medieval cast silver-gilt pirifrom (teardrop shaped) mount/inlay. The mount has a raised foliate design on the front with small bear, cat's or badger's heads at either end. The heads are raised above the rest of the decoration and look towards each other. Both have semicircular ears, and angled eyes either side of a raised strip forming the muzzle. The one at the rounded end has more prominent ears and is slightly larger. The foliate design consists of five branches projecting from the base of the head at the rounded end, the central one of which extends into a stem with two or three pairs of side branches, splitting finally just below the pointed end. From the head at the pointed end projects two large leaves that curve outwards then back in and over 180 degrees. There is a small chip in the edge adjacent to the head at the pointed end. The back is recessed behind the thicker elements of the design such as the animal heads. It is 30.6mm long, 17.3mm wide and 3.5mm thick; it weighs 4.84 grams.
Compare the very similar, but slightly smaller, openwork gilded silver object KENT-3DE0A0, for which no function has been identified. YORYM-503DF2, smaller again, may also be related to this group of objects.
Notes:
This item was previously examined by Gabor Thomas who intends to publish it as part of a broader synthesis of Anglo Saxon metalwork. As part of the preparatory work for this it has been drawn by David Williams. Part of a large collection found over a period of about 30 years. The finder has stated this piece was found before 1997 when the new Treasure Act was introduced. As a single find it was unlikely to have been buried with the intention to recover and therefore would not be considered Treasure under the pre-1997 Treasure Trove act.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 700
Date to: AD 900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 30.6 mm
Width: 17.3 mm
Thickness: 3.5 mm
Weight: 4.84 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 31st December 1996
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Sussex (County)
District: Lewes (District)
To be known as: Beddingham
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SUSS-0559F7
Object type: MOUNT
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Early Medieval cast copper-alloy rectangular open-work mount with bars for straps at either end and silver inlay. The mount has a large badge…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: WAW-7EA882
Object type: MOUNT
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete cast / stamped silver circular mount, of probable Post Medieval dating (18th Century).
The mount can be described in…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: ESS-9E4FB2
Object type: STRAP END
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
2010 T167 Early Medieval strap end
Date of Discovery: 12th March 2010
Circumstances of discovery: Whilst searching with a…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618