BALDRIC

A late Iron Age baldric ring, which would have been used as part of the composite belt, used to hang a sword.
The baldric ring is copper alloy and comprises a large hoop 33mm in diameter. The hoop is wider and thicker towards its base, at the opposite end to the other features. This end terminates with a lump of extra metal, which appears to have been decoratively chamfered. The opposite end of the artefact (probably the top) comprises a press-stud type fitting and two projecting arms. At about the 11 o' clock and 1 o' clock positions two arms extends out curving upwards away from the hoop. One arm survives with a knop terminal the other has broken off, leaving a stump, the break looks well worn. The edges of these arms have also been decoratively chamfered. Between these two arms is the press-stud type fitting. The arms and the stud are all integral to the make up of the baldric ring. The stud expends upwards from the hoop at a 12 o' clock position, the obverse and reverse surfaces are flat, whilst the profile is slightly curved. This extension terminates with a flat circle of copper-alloy, which then extends at 90 degrees from the main body of the baldric to create the press-stud type fitting. The 'stud' is domed and faces forwards. The stud and the connection measures 15.4mm from the front of the stud to the reverse.
This stud may have fitted into holes in leather in much the same way as a modern belt is held together. The reverse of the artefact is undecorated. The measurement across the arms is 31.21mm.
The metal has a polished dark green patina. The artefact is an extremely good condition and it is obvious that this artefact was a high status personal adornment.

There are three similar baldric rings which are currently known about: 1) found in Winchester, Hampshire, 2) found in a 3rd century BC grave in Poland and 3) see PAS record number SUSS-913C68 (JD Hill Pers. Comm.).

Four baldric rings have recently been found in West Sussex, the PAS record numbers are listed here:
SUSS-D82452
SUSS-4C9825
SUSS-4C8491
SUSS-913C68

The four baldric rings have all been donated to the British Museum by the finders and the landowners.