BUCKLE

A complete cast copper alloy double looped sub-oval buckle with concave edges.

The buckle frame, in plan, is broadly rectangular. The upper surface of the frame is slightly convex. The two loops are broadly the same size, trapezoidal in plan with a flat edge to the strap bar and pointed corners at the four corners of the buckle. The internal edges of the frame have been bevelled.

The strap bar is narrowed and sub-circular in section with rounded edges. The pin is formed from a flat piece of cooper alloy that has been curved around the strap bar. The pin has a pointed end and moves freely on the bar. On one of the outer edges of the frame there is an incised horizontal recess which acts as a pin rest. There is a rounded rabbet at each corner.

The frame is decorated with a series incised lines in the form of 'V' shapes or "open" chevrons that all face the same decoration and transverse along the entire width of the frame. The strap bar is undecorated. The reverse of the frame is undecorated and has a flat surface. The upper surface of the frame has a dark green to brown coloured patina. The reverse surface has a light brown coloured patina. A similar shaped example with slightly different decoration is illustrated in Whitehead (2003) No.483 which is dated to AD 1450-1600. There is an almost identical buckle recorded on the database that was discovered in Norfolk (NMS-A80AF3).

Dr Andrew Rogerson (2013) comments (NMS-A80AF3) has "Only one exact parallel for this piece has been noted: an incomplete and badly distorted example found in an unstratified context at Norwich Castle (Goodall, A. in Shepherd Popescu 2009, 602, fig. 8.36 SF5044.02. A 15th-century date may be appropriate."

The buckle measures 55.4mm long and 42.2mm wide, 2.7mm thick. It weighs 14.2g.

Whitehead, R. (2003)Buckles 1250-1800Chelmsford, Greenlight Publishing.