Rights Holder: Hampshire Cultural Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: HAMP-ECC2A0
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy medieval (1350-1450) book clasp of the type with forked spacer (Howsam type A.2), rather than the more usual hinged type. This example consists of the incomplete spacer element only (the front and back plates are both missing).
The head of the clasp is D-shaped (5.1mm thick) with a central perforation (2.4mm in diameter) and zoomorphic projection (with a 1.6mm diameter perforation) extending from the centre of the curved edge. The straight edge is flanked by a 1.9mm wide rib, slightly longer than it (11.4mm to 13.4mm). From this extends the incomplete spacer plate (2.7mm thick) with worn breaks to the projecting arms.
Both perforations are filled with a hard, brown coloured substance (perhaps iron corrosion) visible to both sides of the head and zoomorphic projection. The spacer plate extends from the centre of the edge of the head to give room for the flush-attachment of both front and back plates. Traces of a (now white) substance are apparent on the spacer plate to the upper side. The reverse shows filing marks.
The object measures 30.5mm in length, 15.2mm in max.width, 5.1mm in max.thickness and weighs 5.71g.
Egan (1998) illustrates a number of complete examples, p. 279 ref. 919-925, all from late 14th - early 15th century contexts. Although these are all of the hinged-head variety, stylistically they have the same characteristics. The larger of the piercings would have fitted over a peg on the book's other cover to hold it in place. The smaller piercing may have had a cord pass through it to aid pulling the clasp off the peg. The hinged head presumably allowed for the pulling off the peg more easily.
Class:
clasp
Sub class: Howsam type A.2
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1350
Date to: Circa AD 1450
Quantity: 1
Length: 30.5 mm
Width: 15.2 mm
Thickness: 5.1 mm
Weight: 5.71 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 23rd November 2014 - Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Other reference: Winchester Museums Entry Form no.4004
4 Figure: SP4628
Four figure Latitude: 51.94860014
Four figure longitude: -1.33213066
1:25K map: SP4628
1:10K map: SP42NE
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.