BOOK FITTING

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.