Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
BOOK FITTING
Unique ID: SOM-B81C47
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A large quatrefoil cruciform mount with central boss cast in copper alloy of medieval date. The base of the mount consists of four trefoil arms, each with a rivet hole in the centre; parts of three rivets survive in situ. The edge of the base is bevelled. The arms are arranged at the cardinal points around a circular domed central boss with a stepped base and small flattened top. The surface of the boss has flattened strips and file marks suggesting that the object has been turned. The reverse of the boss is hollow. The object has a mid-green shiny patina. One of the sides of one of the trefoil arms has been broken off as a result of old damage.
The book fitting is of Howsam's (2016, pg. 92) type B.1.2. and is similar to her example shown in figure 2-39 no.189. She gives a date circa to late-fourteenth to mid sixteenth century. A mount similar in form, but of smaller module, can be found illustrated in Read (2001, 16; ref. 115). It is suggested that the object may be a book furnishing dating to the 14th century.
Class:
mount
Sub class: Howsam type B.1.2
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1375
Date to: Circa AD 1550
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 63.4 mm
Height: 16 mm
Width: 62.5 mm
Weight: 47.12 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC receipt 21985
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: South Somerset (District)
To be known as: Wincanton
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howsam, C.L. | 2016 | Book Fastenings and Furnishings: An archaeology of late Medieval books | Sheffield | Unpulished PhD Thesis | |||
| Read, B. | 2001 | Metal artefacts of antiquity: A catalogue of small finds from specific areas of the United Kingdom | Langport | Portcullis Publishing | 16 | 115 |
Similar objects
Find number: SOM-5D17A3
Object type: BOOK FITTING
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A medieval quatrefoil cast copper alloy book mount . The book fitting has a central domed boss with a distinctly flattened top and the base c…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SOM-D531A6
Object type: BOOK FITTING
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A medieval quatrefoil cast copper alloy book mount . The book fitting has a central circular conical boss with a flattened top and stepped lo…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LIN-1FB007
Object type: BOOK FITTING
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A late medieval copper alloy book fitting or furnishing of Howsam Type B.1.2. The mount is quatrefoil, with each arm terminating with a pierc…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618