Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
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LINKED PIN
Unique ID: SF-31F506
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Published 
A copper-alloy object of Early-Medieval date, possibly a link for a pin set or similar item. It has a flat, pointed oval shaped plate with integral suspension loops at each end. These are oval in form, set at right angles to the plane of the plate, with central circular apertures and moulded transverse double collars separating loop from plate. The front face of the plate has extensive chip carved and gilded decoration. This comprises symmetrical chip carved single strand interlace that covers the front face and is contained within a pointed-oval shaped incised border, traces of a thickly applied gilding remaining in the recessed areas although much of this is now missing due to post-depositional wear an corrosion. The back face is flat and undecorated and the entire object has a worn and corroded green patina. It measures 49.29mm in length, 16.23mm in width, 1.40mm in thickness at plate, 4.09mm in thickness at terminal and 3.52g in weight.
The precise function of this object remains uncertain. Its decorative elements indicate a date in the 8th century AD. The closest parallels in terms of form are perhaps to be found in lozenge-shaped links linking sets of disc-headed pins, for example in the set of pins from Fiskerton, Lincolnshire (Webster and Backhouse, 1991: p. 227, no. 184). However, in the current example the suspension loops are set at 90 degrees to the angle of the closest parallels, which might indicate a differing function.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
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
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Saxon style
Date from: Circa AD 700
Date to: Circa AD 800
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 49.29 mm
Width: 16.23 mm
Thickness: 1.4 mm
Weight: 3.52 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st February 2013
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Decoration style: Interlace
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: St. Edmundsbury (District)
To be known as: Clare
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
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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