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HARNESS HOOK
Unique ID: HAMP-D00A57
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Published 
A corroded cast copper-alloy hook, probably from medieval horse-harness. It consists of a rectangular attachment plate with rounded end and a protruding, inward-curving hook. At the junction of the two is a shallow ridge. The attachment plate is 19.2mm in length and is semi-circular in cross-section. On the reverse there is an integral copper-alloy rivet towards each end of a square cross-section (max. L. 5.1mm). The hook has been bent slightly to one side. It tapers initially before achieving a consistent width (c. 6.3mm). The strap-end is dark red-brown in colour with traces of green and lighter corrosion product.
A comparable object, interpreted as a strap-end, can be seen in Egan and Pritchard's 'Dress Accessories' (1991, p. 155-6, no. 728), found in a context dated to 1270-1350. The large size of these hooks makes it probable that they were used on horse harness, and they are similar to a hook illustrated in Griffiths (1989), no. 14. Another example linked to a catch-piece can be seen at IOW-7184A4.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1270
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 38.75 mm
Width: 10.5 mm
Thickness: 26.5 mm
Weight: 10.15 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: E2901
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Headbourne Worthy CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. | 1991 | Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London 3) (1991) | London | Stationery Office Books | 155-156 | 728 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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