HARNESS HOOK

A complete copper alloy hook, used as a sword belt fitting or harness fitting, probably dating to the Medieval Period, circa AD 1200 - AD 1400.

The main body of the object is circular in section and sub lozenge (tear job) in plan. The top of the object is decorated with a sub lozenge shaped knop which culminates in a rounded point. From the rounded point the knop tapers out to a thin ridge where it tapers in again to the straight section just above the hook. The hook itself is circular in plan and D shaped in section, the end of the hook is a rounded point and is very close to the back edge, creating an almost closed circle with about a millimeter gap between the point and the back edge of the object. Aside from the knop at the top the object is undecorated.

The object meausres 25.0 mm in length and is 11.0 mm wide. The hook has an interior diameter of 6.4 mm. It has a thickness of 5.9 mm and weighs 2.9 g.

The object is a mid green in colour and has an even patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. Another example of this type of hook can be seen in Read (2008), pg 215, no 774 or 775. These have been given a date of the 13th to 15th Century AD. Another example has been recorded on the PAS: BH-E06847

Reference:
Read, B. 2008. 'Hooked Clasps and Eyes'. Portcullis Publishing. Langport.