STRAP FITTING

A cast copper-alloy sub-rectangular strap plate, incomplete as a result of old damage. The strap plate is probably Medieval, but could possibly date to the early Post Medieval period. The body of the strap plate is rectangular in plan view with two decorative edges. One of the decorative edges is damaged. There would have originally been a circular perforation to each corner of the strap plate. Only two perforations survive. It is uncertain whether the perforations were originally rivet holes or openwork decoration, as the remains of two internally cast spikes are present on the reverse of the strap plate. The remaining perforations have an internal diameter of approximately 1.9mm and 2.4mm. The front of the strap plate has a raised rectangular border. Within the recessed field is raised decoration, although the pattern is impossible to discern due to abrasion. Traces of gilding survive across the whole of the front surface. The reverse of the strap plate is undecorated with the remains of two spikes which are circular in cross section. The ends of both spikes are broken. Every face of the strap plate is covered in green and light brown corrosion. Length: 36.98mm. Width: 12.06mm. The plate has a thickness of 1.34mm which increases to 6.33mm when including the height of the spikes. Weight: 3.56g

A similar strap plate is recorded under reference SWYOR-C84036