MOUNT

A medieval copper-alloy shield-shaped mount with enamelled decoration and gilding.

The decoration on the slightly domed upper surface of the shield consists of 21 horizontal bands, arranged in a repeating pattern of white-enamel-filled cells, gilt ridges with longitudinal central groove, and blue-enamel-filled cells. The sides of the shield, also gilt, extend downwards, forming a near-vertical rim, which frames the hollow underside. Two damaged, perforated lugs angle outwards from the bottom ends of the top right- and left-hand corners respectively, and it is likely that such a lug would also have been located at the basal point.

Height: 50.3mm; width: 59mm; depth/thickness: 7mm. Weight: 18.9g.

Unfortunately, it has not proved possible to attribute these arms to a particular family. The blazon, which can be described as 'Barry Or Argent and Azure', is unusual in that it contains two metals, in addition to the colour. Although not contrary to the rule of tincture, as the two metals are described as being beside rather than on one another, the employment of the two metals together is unusual and may indicate that this piece is decorative, as opposed to representing an accurate coat of arms. Shield-shaped mounts are discussed by Nick Griffiths (1989), who suggests that this type (no. 9), with projecting loops, may have been designed to have been riveted to wood or leather and stood proud of the surface, leaving room for a strap to pass beneath (ibid. 2). Griffiths dates shield-shaped mounts to the 13^th and 14^th centuries (ibid. 1).