STRAP FITTING

A complete cast copper alloy bar mount with pendent loop of probable Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval dating (1400 to 1700 AD).

The mount consists of two parts: the bar mount and the pendent loop / ring. The bar mount is U shaped in cross section, as it folds back on itself. The front of the mount is sub square in shape with the projecting loop at the base. The reverse consists of the loop folded back to a triangular point, fixed to the front of the mount, with two integral rivets, projecting from the back of the square front.

A copper alloy ring or pendant loop is still present in the fold of the bar mount. The ring is circular in plan and rectangular in cross section.

The bar mount measures 26.06mm in length, 13.22mm wide and 8.53mm thick. The metal is 1.65mm thick. The loop is 16.30mm in diameter, with internal diameter 10.52mm. It is 4.15mm thick. Overall the whole artefact is 33.87mm long, 15.79mm wide and 8.83mm thick. It weighs 7.3 grams.

The bar mount is predominately a mid green colour, with a patchy surface patina. Abrasion of the artefact has resulted in the lost of the surface patina around the edges, resulting in a mid brown colour.

Bar mounts of this style with pendent loops are considered to be of Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval dating and were for the suspension of decorative elements or for a knife or purse to be attached to a belt. Fig 138 in Egan (2002, p 221) illustrates a similar square bar mount with circular pendent loop. Similar styles have been dated to Ceramic phase 11 (c.1350 - c. 1400 AD). However this style did continue into use in the Post Medieval period (up to 1700 AD) for sword belts, such as LVPL-D4FCC4. This particular bar mount could be of any date from c.1350 to 1700 AD.