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MOUNT
Unique ID: LANCUM-B494A3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Cast copper-alloy gilded mount dating from the Early Medieval period, that is c. the 8th or 9th century AD. The perforated disc is broken and damaged around the outer edges. Originally it was crescentic with possibly a central inset stone (or similar). While the obverse is decorated, the reverse is plain. The surfaces are pitted but otherwise the object is in good condition. The decoration on the obverse consists of moulded concentric circles, with ribbed, triangular and herringbone/rope pattern mouldings in turn. The obverse shows remains of gilding in the crevices of the mouldings.
Kevin Leavy suggests that this item is best interpreted as a piece of 'Insular' (Irish or Pictish) metal work of 8th-9th century date.His initial thought was that it was a mount from a house shrine like the example now in Bologna (Youngs 1989, No. 132, p139-40, Colour plate 132). The mounts on this share the same central setting surrounded by a ring of simple interlace and cabled ring. It is also possible that your mount came from one of the terminals on a Pictish annular brooch like the example from Aldclune, Blair Atholl, Perthshire (Youngs 1898, No. 108, p. 113) although this lacks the interlace band and is a bit smaller. The removal of the fixing stud and the perforation suggest that this thing may have been in the hands of the Vikings who reused it.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Irish style
Date from: Circa AD 700
Date to: Circa AD 900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 32 mm
Width: 30 mm
Thickness: 1.6 mm
Weight: 8.64 g
Diameter: 33 mm
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Geometric
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cumbria (County)
District: Allerdale (District)
To be known as: Lorton
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Centred on parish
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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