Rights Holder: Kent County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
STRAP FITTING
Unique ID: KENT-9B1BF2
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast copper alloy S-shaped belt hook or strap fitting dating to the Post-Medieval period, (1500-1700). The object would have been S-shaped in plan and is oval in cross-section. The remaining terminal curves narrowly towards the centre and was likely fashioned into an animal head, such as a snake or swan. Remnants of gilding can be seen on the object. The fitting is 39.42mm long, 19.28mm wide, 4.09mm thick and weighs 8.06 grams.
Read (2008, 230. nos.822-825) illustrates a number of these belt fittings, some are used as parts of baldrics and sword scabbard fittings of the mid 16th century to early 17th century. That being said however the form has a resurgance in the late 19th century on military and police regalia. The latter group tend to be larger and have more detail of the snakes body such as scale and underbelly. This example having less body detail and being smaller is likely 16th century to early 17th century.
Class: S shaped fastener
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1550
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 39.42 mm
Width: 19.28 mm
Thickness: 4.09 mm
Weight: 8.06 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Maidstone (District)
To be known as: Marden
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read, B. | 2008 | Hooked-Clasps and Eyes | Langport | Portcullis Publishing |
Similar objects
Find number: KENT-30F43D
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A cast heavily worn incomplete Post-Medieval copper-alloy belt fitting, dating to c.1550-1625AD.
Description: The object is an S-shaped be…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: PUBLIC-CC59BF
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A post medieval cast copper alloy S-shaped fastener, possibly c.1550-1625. Quite corroded displaying a patchy light green patina. The body is…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SUSS-86FEDE
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete Post-Medieval copper-alloy 'S'-shaped belt fastener of c. AD 1650 - 1900 date. This fastener is in the form of a curved snake form…
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