Rights Holder: Norfolk County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
STRAP END
Unique ID: NMS-9F1DB3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Middle to late Anglo-Saxon silver convex-sided strap-end of Thomas's Class A, Type 1. The shaped attachment end curves over two rivet holes with a small lobe in between; two dome-headed silver rivets survive in situ.
The decoration has a reserved border around the edge, which curves around the main decorative panel, with an engraved line on both sides separating it from the outside edges, which have multiple transverse notches. There is a small, schematic trilobate motif between and below the rivets. The main panel of decoration is almost filled by an elongated seated beast, perhaps a bull or a lion, the body and legs facing right but with its raised head turned to the left. The beast is surrounded and pierced in four places by elaborately interlaced ribbon-like decoration. The engraving was originally inlaid with niello, traces of which survive.
The moulded animal head terminal also has traces of inlaid niello. It has large circular ears, each with a C-shaped groove emphasising the upper edge. In the centre of the head is an engraved oval panel with two internal transverse lines, flanked by two trapezoidal panels containing oblique lines. The two circular eyes are both set with a black glass pellet. Slightly oblique lines define the blunt snout and nostrils which are represented by twin dot-like depressions. There are traces of an engraved doodle at the mid-point on the reverse comprising twin curved lines, and vertical lines of hammer marks behind the animal-head terminal.There is also a patch of copper corrosion, possibly traces of solder.
Length 43mm. Width 14.5mm. Head 3mm thick. Body 2mm thick. Weighs 7.25g. 9th century.
Class: Thomas's Class A, Type 1
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2015T190
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 800
Date to: Circa AD 900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 43 mm
Width: 14.5 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 7.25 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 18th November 2014 - Monday 19th January 2015
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: 59745
Other reference: NMD012015
Treasure case number: 2015T190
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Secondary material: Glass
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with niello
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: South Norfolk (District)
Parish or ward: Deopham (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TG0300
Four figure Latitude: 52.55995248
Four figure longitude: 0.99334558
1:25K map: TG0300
1:10K map: TG00SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: NMS-BA3DE6
Object type: STRAP END
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Description: Middle to late Anglo-Saxon silver convex-sided strap-end of Thomas's Class A, Type 1, now in two pieces which join at a break ac…
Workflow: Published
Find number: FAKL-176E22
Object type: STRAP END
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Copper alloy strap end, complete but for the upper leaf of the bifurcation. Terminal in the form of an animal's head, with raised oval nostri…
Workflow: Published
Find number: NMS-5271A7
Object type: STRAP END
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Middle Saxon/Late Saxon copper alloy strap-end, convex-sided with notch in split attachment end pierced by two rivet-holes, simple engraved f…
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