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STRAP END
Unique ID: LON-B3C3C1
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An Early Medieval (Carolingian) copper alloy strap end dating to the 9th century. This strap end has a split end, convex sides, zoomorphic terminal and foliate decoration. The zoomorphic terminal shows a beast's head with laid-back ears. The nose is depicted by a vertical groove; the eyes by two pits and the ears are circular with crescent-shaped stamps forming the detail. The eyes are deeply recessed and originally may have held a bead. The body of the strap end is decorated with a single branch motif with oval leaves projecting from each side. The branch is contained within a sub-rectangular field except for the main stem which projects up to meet the open end creating a bi-lobed appearance. There is a copper alloy rivet with domed head within each of these lobes. To each side of the branch the edges of the strap end are decorated with slightly irregular transverse grooves creating the appearance of a beaded border. The back plate of the open end is bent out of alignment, it is broken across one rivet hole and the corner is missing. When found this strap end was covered in thick concretions the finder cleaned two or the four strap ends from the group to reveal the decoration and form. These concretions still fill the open end.
Dimensions: length: 34.16mm; width: 16.38mm; thickness: 3.51mm; weight: 11.19g.
Notes:
This strap end was found in a group of four strap ends of very similar design and form LON-B3C3C1; LON-B3CD21; LON-B3CF92; LON-B3D262; two strap slides LON-B3D5D1 and LON-B3D8C7; and another strap fitting with ring which may be a ring-link connector LON-B3DD46.
Identification by Dr Kevin Leahy and Dr Helen Geake, PAS Finds Advisors for Early Medieval artefacts.
Kevin Leahy: What a lovely and interesting group. I agree with Helen Geake that the decoration looks more Carolingian than Anglo-Saxon but I can find no real parallels for it and think that the motif is simplified version of a Carolingian motif. The form of the strap ends with their mouse head terminals look like that those that we see on Trewhiddle strap ends and I think that they are local products. The strap-sliders are also clearly local as they are very similar to a pair found in the Trewhiddle hoard which dated to before 875 (Wilson DM, Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork AD700-1100, BM, London, 1964, Nos 101, 102). As Helen says the looped ring is hard to date but the shape and feel of it would suggest that it ninth century like the rest of the group.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class: Thomas Class uncertain
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Carolingian style
Date from: Circa AD 800
Date to: Circa AD 900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 34.16 mm
Width: 16.38 mm
Thickness: 3.51 mm
Weight: 11.19 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Floral
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: London (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Greater London Authority (Greater London Authority)
District: City and County of the City of London (London Borough)
Parish or ward: Billingsgate (London Borough Ward)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TQ3380
Four figure Latitude: 51.503293
Four figure longitude: -0.085156
1:25K map: TQ3380
1:10K map: TQ38SW
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fern, C. | 2005 | The archaeological evidence for equestrianism in early Anglo-Saxon England, c. 450-700 | Oxford | Archaeopress BAR | p.64 | ||
| Thomas, G. | 2003 | Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking-age Strap-Ends 750-1100: Part I | Lincolnshire | Finds Research Group AD 700-1700. | p.2 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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