Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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Unique ID: FAKL-A5EDD5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Cast copper alloy sleeve clasp, crudely made and asymmetrical, its face divided into two bands, an outer which filled with a series of irregular blocks, and an inner band which is divided into a row of larger blocks, the central ones square, with two more rounded blocks at each end, in the centres of which are shallow depressions. Beneath these are two perforated lugs which, taken together with the rounded blocks, suggest an eagles head at each end of the clasp. Between the lugs is a central, rectangular projection, the corners of which are cut at 45 degrees. On the underside of the clasp is an integrally cast, ear-like attachment hook which would have engaged in a slot in the other clasp making up this pair.
This is a difficult clasp to parallel and does not fit into any of Hines' Forms. The general scheme and method of production would place it in Form B12, cast in one piece, some of which, like this example have a central lug giving a T shaped form (Hines 1993, 46-49) The form does occur in Yorkshire. However, none of the Form B12 clasp show anything which resembles these eagles' heads. Eagles' heads do appear on clasps of Hines' Form C but these have a different shape to that seen on this clasp and the use of the curved beak as a loop is a conceit which has not been seen elsewhere, although it might be suggested on a From B18 clasp and a Form B20 clasp from Sewerby, East Yorkshire (Hines 1993, 59, Fig. 111b: 64, Fig. 124, d). Length, 54mm; Width, 19mm
Hines, J, 1993. Clasps Hektespenner Agraffen, Anglo-Scandinavian Clasps of Classes A-C of the 3rd to 6th Centuries AD. Typology, Diffusion and Function, Stockholm, Almqvist and Wiksell.
Notes:
Finds recorded under 2012 T264:
YORYM-554033, FAKL-A5EDD5, FAKL-A63087, FAKL-A60695, FAKL-A63D68, FAKL-A64B21, FAKL-A66501, FAKL-A5D152
These objects were reported as potential addenda items to Treasure case 2011 T591, within which a silver bracteate was reported. It was concluded in this original case that only the silver bracteate could be defined as Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996, as the other reported objects could not be proven to have been in association, as it is likely that more than one burial had been disturbed by the plough. As such the same argument must be extended to these further objects (2012 T264); association with the silver bracteate, reported as 2011 T591, cannot be securely ascertained and it is recommended that these objects listed above fall outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996.
This object has not been handled by the recorder and has been identified from photographs.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being declared not Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2012T264
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 500
Date to: Circa AD 570
Quantity: 1
Length: 54 mm
Width: 19 mm
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Treasure case number: 2012T264
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.