STRAP FITTING

A slightly corroded cast copper-alloy hooked plate from a post-medieval sword-belt fitting. Overall, these strap-fittings tend to consist of a mount with three suspension loops from which hang a trio of hooked plates; the scabbard straps would have been attached to these plates. The ensemble features foliate decoration on their visible faces: an illustration of a complete sword-belt fitting can be found in Read (2001, 43; ref. 373). Their design and decoration are relatively standardised. Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). This single hooked plate survives well. It is sub-triangular in plan. It has a flat lower surface. Viewed in profile one can see that the hook end curves round in front of the main plate (max. H.: 11.25mm). The hook has a globular terminal. From the hook the plate flares out to a wide point. Aligned with the base of these side protrusions is a central circular rivet perforation; the rivet is missing. Below, the object narrows to a waist beyond these protrusions, before widening again. Below these latter, and above the trefoil terminal, is another waist. Centrally aligned with the beginning of the trefoil is a second circular perforation. As implied above, the reverse is plain; the front, visible, face features an elaborate scrolled foliage pattern, split down the vertical axis, with incised fronds trailing towards the edges. There is a trifoliate leaf at the base of the hook. The hook has been slightly bent in profile. The object now has a largely mid/dark-green patina.