BOOK FITTING

A damaged and incomplete hook-piece from a copper-alloy post-medieval book-clasp. It is sub-rectangular in shape, with a flared attachment end, now heavily abraded; the other end is squared off with a central rectangular curved hook. The main body of the clasp is 17.5mm in width, flaring to a maximum of 20.6mm at the attachment end.

At the flared end is a single central rivet hole; the remnants of an iron rivet is corroded in place. The object is decorated on its upper surface in four main transverse registers separated by transverse ridges moulded in low relief. The register closest to the hook end is decorated with a double row of pellets flanked by rosettes at the edges. The second register is wider and appears to have a central row of cinquefoils, with rows of pellets above and below. The third register is as the first in size and decoration. Below this are parts of three moulded V shapes, partial becuase they are off centre. The complete middle V encloses a fleur-de-lis, with pellets in the apexes as fillers. Another features a cross pommee with similar pellet fillers; the third is unclear. Indeed many individual elements of the decoration, which is moulded in low relief is worn and unclear.

The clasp has been bent upwards at the rivet end, which is now very ragged.following old damage. This artefact has corroded to a red-brown colour with some patches of green corrosion product. The size and decoration of this clasp suggests a date in the 16th or 17th century.