UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A T-shaped fragment of a copper-alloy object of early-medieval (Anglo Saxon) date decorated to one face with an interlocking cross. In its present form it consists of two elements, possibly separately cast although wear makes this difficult to tell. All edges are damaged and worn.
The object comprises a larger rectangular element, 19.6x14.9x2.8mm and a smaller, thinner element projecting from the centre of one long edge measuring 10.3x5.1x1.8mm. This was probably originally rectangular but the breaks have given it a semi-circular shape. This smaller element is a continuation of the larger element to the decorated face only, and with the decoration following seamlessly from one element to the other. The reverse, which is undecorated with a smooth dark green patina, has a step at the join.
The decoration consists of a cross formed of four C-shapes, two pairs each of a C and backwards-C, crossing each other at 90 degrees. Each C shape is formed by a pair of grooves and intertwine with the other C shapes by crossing one of a pair and going under the other of the pair. The resulting nine areas created by the interlocking C-shapes are filled with grooved cross-hatching. In addition, a further C-shape (again a pair of grooves) runs close to the long edge that does not have the projection from it. This forms the end of a cross-arm and cuts through the segment to either side of that arm. It appears to run under one C forming this arm and over the other.
The three worn edges of the larger element of the object (those without the projection of the smaller element) appear to have a central longitudinal groove. This is perhaps from the decorated part of the object being cast separately to a reverse element but this is not clear.
The patina to the front of the object is dark green with patches of the metal being lost - another supporting factor to this being a separately cast element. The object measures 20.4mm in length, 19.6mm in max.width, 2.8mm in max.thickness and weighs 4.59g.
David Williams comments it may be part of a bowl or vessel mount (pers. comm. November 2016). Jo Ahmet comments that the interlocked circles are similar to Celtic decoration of the period.