STIRRUP

Early Medieval (11^thcentury) stirrup-strap mount: The cast copper alloy mount is a sub asymmetrical pentagon in plan, the sides are slightly convex. The tip has a small circular perforation in the centre and at the side edge there is a small integral knop. The lower edge is narrowed and has two circular perforations along it. The mount is decorated with a finely incised linear design. The design consists of two beasts beneath the pendant lobe and with two loops along the lower edge. Typically the heads have up turned noses, a projecting ear and curling crest but these are not clear. The reverse of the mount is undecorated and has, along the lower edge, a shallow stepped flange. In profile the mount is curved, thereby convex on the outer face and concave on the reverse. The surface of the mount has an abraded light green patina. It measures 49.38mm long and 30.09mm wide. It weighs 19.5g.

The mount is a stirrup strap mount dating to the 11th century. Williams (1997) classifies this type Class A Type 1 whose decoration is usually unique as it has been engraved onto it. Williams (ibid) Nos. 9, 10 and 11 are similar shape in plan to the recorded example.

These mounts were initially identified as book mounts in 1920 and later as strap ends and casket mounts (Williams, 1997; 3) these interpretations continued in general use until recent times.

Williams, D. 1997Late Saxon Stirrup Mounts: A Classification and CatalogueYork:CBAResearch Report 111