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HARNESS MOUNT
Unique ID: WMID-6BF361
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast gilded copper alloy disc harness mount, of Early Medieval dating (Late 6th to Early 7th Century AD).
Approximately 25% of the disc mount is present. The front consists of cast gilded decoration, in the Style II zoomorphic style. It consists of a triple strand interlace design, with the head of one beast visible in the centre of the fragment. The jaws of the beast are open with the lips curled back. The eye consists of a circular disc. The central design is bordered by a 'Greek Key' style border, consisting of elongated 'S'. Part of a square sectioned copper alloy rivet may be present in the original centre of the design. The back is plain and undecorated.
The fragment measures 30.21 mm in length, 36.09 mm wide and 2.58 mm thick. It weighs 10.1 grams.
The mount is a mid brown colour, with an even surface patina. The gilding has survived only in the recessed parts of the design, and has been removed from the raised areas.
The design and shape can be broadly paralleled by the disc harness mounts, found in Mound 17 at Sutton Hoo and at Caenby, Lincolnshire. It is consistent with a Late 6th to Early 7th Century date.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class: disc
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 550
Date to: Circa AD 650
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 30.21 mm
Width: 36.09 mm
Thickness: 2.58 mm
Weight: 10.1 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st September 2011 - Friday 30th September 2011
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Zoomorphic
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Warwickshire (County)
District: North Warwickshire (District)
Parish or ward: Austrey (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SK2806
Four figure Latitude: 52.651014
Four figure longitude: -1.587553
1:25K map: SK2806
1:10K map: SK20NE
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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