Rights Holder: Lincolnshire County Council
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Unique ID: LIN-92D733
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy snake-form belt hook of post-Medieval to modern date.
The artefact is 'S-shaped'. One terminal is missing, however the survivng one takes the form of the neck and head of a serpent or bird. The neck is thin, of pointed-oval section and form a broad curve. At the centre of the object, dividing the two animals, is a convex moulding with a series of radiating ridges.
The earliest snake-form fasteners appear on portraits of the early post-Medieval period, often in association with sword-belts. After falling out of fashion in the 17th century, they regained popularity at the end of the 18th century, when they began to be used on certain military uniforms (Bailey 1997: 20). The form and lack of corrosion on this particular piece suggest that it may be one of the later examples.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1700
Date to: Circa AD 1900
Quantity: 1
Length: 26 mm
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.