Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: SF-E16443
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy medieval book clasp of Howsam type A.9.2. At one end there is an incomplete rectangular socket with damage around its outer end. The outer face of this is decorated with an incised geometric motif. Extending from the lower end of this is a roughly triangular section terminating in a small loop sitting at a right-angle to it. This has a circular hole through its reverse face revealling that it is hollow inside. Where this section joins the socket there is a raised lozenge on the outer face divided by two engraved lines into four sections. Below this the outer face of the lower section has a moulded transverse ridge, which also runs down the sides - perhaps intended to create a zoomorphic effect.
A number of similar examples have been recorded on the PAS database, including NMS-A63866; NMS-8EC891 (HER39892) and NMS-FD27A2 (HER51845), all from Norfolk. They are typically thought to have been used as book clasps. A similar, but smaller example from Norfolk has also been declared treasure (NMS-48B706). Fingerlin (1971,111, nos.174-8) dates this type to the late 14th century.
Length: 36.18mm, width: 12.84mm, thickness: 7.60mm, weight: 7.29g
Class:
clasp
Sub class: Howsam type A.9.2
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 1400
Quantity: 1
Length: 36.18 mm
Width: 12.84 mm
Thickness: 7.6 mm
Weight: 7.29 g
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st March 2016
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Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.