Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
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Unique ID: HESH-A88117
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper alloy fragment; possibly a wrist-clasp (or sleeve clasp) of probable 6th - 8th century (Early Medieval 550 - 800 AD) date. The fragment is broadly sub-rectangular in plan with a series of D shaped regular projections on three edges and four pierced holes through the body. In profile it is slightly bowed and in cross section is broadly sub-rectangular. It measures 29.7mm length, 17.8mm width, is 2.4mm thick and weighs 4.21 grams.
The wrist clasp is formed from a central thickened bar which forms one vertical edge that tapers to one side; the tapered edge is decorated with a series of three D shaped scallops. The upper and lower edges are also decorated with similar scallops. The plate is also decorated with four pierced holes two large ones centrally positioned and two smaller one on the outer edge. One of the larger holes has some wear on the internal face. There also seems to be traces of some other cast decoration, possibly scroll or vine-like tendrils however abrasion has obscured this. The outer edge is heavily abraded and it is possible that there were originally either a cast hook or loop like projections, although this has been lost. The reverse face is plain and undecorated. The wrist clasp is a dark purplish brown green colour with an abraded patina that covers all surfaces. There are a number of areas of active corrosion and pitting. The strap-end is also slightly asymmetrical due to movement in the plough soil. Similar wrist claps (although not a direct parallel) can be seen in The Ashmolean Catalogue of Anglo Saxon Collections, specifically 29.25-26. (pp 179-80)
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 550
Date to: Circa AD 800
Quantity: 1
Length: 29.7 mm
Width: 17.8 mm
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 4.21 g
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.