BOOK FITTING

An incomplete post-Medieval copper-alloy book fitting in the form of a clasp (c. 1550-c. 1600 AD).
The fitting is formed of two sheet copper-alloy plates riveted together. However, only a small portion of the back sheet or plate has survived.

In plan, it has a flaring 'fish-tail' attachment end and tapers to the terminal end. The 'fish-tail' end is notched but the notches are slightly damaged. It has three sets of linear chevrons formed of grooves and extending lengthways at the 'fish-tale' end. At the terminal end there are parallel grooves forming a triangular shape and beyond these, next to the hook, are two trapezoidal features. Close to the 'fish-tail' end, on the front plate, there are three circular holes arranged widthways almost in a straight line. Beyond these, towards the notches, are two copper-alloy rivets which are flush with the front of the sheet. At the back of the triangular grooves there is an integral rivet which holds the back sheet in position. This rivet cannot be seen at the front. The integral rectangular hook curves through 180°.

The back sheet has minute traces of gilding but none can be seen at the front.
This artefact is worn, has no patina and the metal is drab brown in colour. There are bright green corrosion products at the back.

37.31 x 28.66 x 3.64mm. Weight:3.17g.

Similar clasps may be seen in Margeson's 'Norwich Households', pp.74-75, refs: 453 and 454. These, Margeson suggests both date to the second half of the 16th century.
Numerous book fittings of this type are recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see finds: DENO-596D98, HESH-0FA366, IOW-347A31, KENT-F13B17, SUR-5C6172; SUSS-918036, SWYOR-1FC9B4 and WMID-2DB371.