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MOUNT
Unique ID: SF-B15AB4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A copper alloy medieval mount decorated with enamel and gilding (c. late 13th century to early 14th century). The mount is an approximately triangular shape, and has a horse's head in profile with a semi-circular crest on the top. The crest has incised line decoration suggesting a plume of feathers, and there is a single rivet hole at the centre. The horse is open-mouthed, with a strap across the nose, and a well-defined cheek on which traces of red enamel can be seen, continuing down the mane and neck. There is another rivet hole between the mouth and neck of the horse. The rest of the animal is missing due to old breaks. The reverse is plain, apart from a trace of gilding around the lower rivet hole.
The mount measures 31.9mm in length and 29.95mm in width. It weighs 6.25g.
This fragment may have been part of a larger figure (see BH-B91E31 for an example), and if so, the ornate caparison would suggest a rider of royalty or the nobility. The crest on the head is unusual, although paralleled on BH-B91E31. It has been published in Naylor (ed.) 2012, 310-311; fig. 4f and by Bon and Pérès (2021, 2; fig. 3).
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1275
Date to: Circa AD 1325
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 31.9 mm
Width: 29.95 mm
Weight: 6.25 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st March 2011
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Fragment
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bon, F. and Pérès, A. | 2021 | Plaques ornementales équestres armoriées | Paris | Société Française d'Héraldique et de Sigillographie | 2 | 3 | |
| Naylor, J. | 2012 | Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2011: Portable Antiquities Scheme Report | Leeds | Society for medieval Archaeology | 310-311 | 4f |
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Timeline of associated dates
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