STRAP END

An incomplete late Anglo-Saxon or early Medieval cast lead-alloy strap end of Thomas's Class E, dating broadly to the 10th to early 12th century AD. The object as it survives is rectangular, with one long edge split to take the strap. This edge has its two corners broken off where there are the remains of two circular rivet holes. The split here has a depth of 10.3mm and is undecorated. It is separated from the body of the strap-end by a ridge which turns a right angle to continue down the right-hand edge of the strap-end, behind the animal's rump.

Below the ridge the body of the strap-end has relief decoration in the form of a reclining animal, possibly with a mane and therefore a lion, seen in profile facing left with its head arched backwards over its body to bite at its tail. The head has no obvious ears or other features; the tail has a large terminal lobe or tuft, and also another tufted branch or two at its midpoint making it look also like a plant. The animal is the right way up when the strap-end is held with the attachment end uppermost.

The strap-end is neatly cut off straight across at the level of the animal's belly, removing any legs or other motif. The break is very worn and in fact appears neatly rubbed down, with rounded corners.

The object measures 25.6mm in length, is 22.5mm wide, has a thickness of 4.4mm, and weighs 13.0g. A part from some cracks at its missing corners it is in fair condition, and has a dark grey patina.

Compare an example from Hindolveston, Norfolk, illustrated by Thomas (2000, fig. 3.31B, cat. no. 1229; 2004, fig. 32) which has a bull seen in profile immediately below the attachment end. This is assigned by Thomas to his Type 7 (unclassified) and thought to be post-Conquest in date (Thomas 2000, 215). On this database, only SF4115 has a similar animal, but on a very different style of strap-end. The relief decoration on lead strap-ends, however, is more variable in style than that on the more common copper-alloy examples.