BOOK FITTING

An incomplete cast copper alloy book clasp, of probable Late Anglo-Saxon or early Medieval dating (1000 - 1200 AD).

The object is thick and flat, and although made in one piece can be described in three separate areas: the flared split end for attaching it to the strap, the central circular element, and the projecting animal-head terminal.

The front has been decorated with incised decoration. Both the attachment end and the circular area have an incised border of thin small rectangles (often called 'ladder pattern'). A faint geometric design is present within this border on the attachment end. Instead of a design in the centre of the circular area, a circular perforation is present.

The zoomorphic terminal consists of either a dog or a dragon's head, displayed side on, with a transverse hole between its jaws. A raised rib or collar, projecting slightly to either side, separates each the three main sections from each other, one between the attachment end and the central circular area and the other between the circle and the zoomorphic terminal.

The reverse is plain and undecorated. The split end is incomplete, with only the front remaining, with two incomplete attachment rivets present. Both attachment rivets have circular shanks. A casting flaw or air bubble is visible on the side of the book clasp, near the split end.

The clasp is a mid to dark green colour, with an uneven surface patina present. In the areas where the surface patina has been removed, probably due to abrasion, the strap end is a light green colour. These areas should be monitored to help prevent active copper corrosion (bronze disease) from occurring. Active copper corrosion is bright green and is powdery. In order to reduce this from occurring, it is recommended that the object is stored in acid free paper, in a secure dry box containing silica gel.

It measures 62.77mm in length, 19.21mm wide and 11.38mm thick. It weighs 25.9 grams.

Although there are several superficially similar Class F strap ends on the PAS database (SWYOR-B557B2, SUSS-742D82, NMS-627136 etc) none have a pierced terminal. The terminal is thought to aid in pulling the clasp off the peg on the opposite cover, and identifies this as a book clasp

Compare GLO-5B1D88, LEIC-F7DA57, etc for similar (but not quite so smart) book clasps. The one-piece construction suggests that they should be classified as Howsam type A.10.