Rights Holder: Norfolk County Council
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Unique ID: NMS-593129
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A cast Medieval (c.1100-1200 AD) copper alloy possible component of a composite swivel strap-fitting. Comprised of a hollow hemisphere decorated with four semi-circular panels of openwork decoration around a slightly off-set central circular hole at the apex (5.0mm in diameter). Each panel is defined by a deep groove with four holes inside following the line of the curve and are divided into two pairs by a central raised triangular element. A further groove runs around the open edge of the object, giving each panel a base line. The area between the segments forms an equal-armed cross and along one of the arms (between semi-cirlces) there is a central groove. The overall colour is light green to grey but the alloy is complex. Despite the green colouration, in areas where it has been rubbed or abraded it has turned a dark grey to silver colour. The metal is not hard and brittle like a high tin bronze and is probably a leaded bronze or a tomabac alloy.
The object measures 29.3mm in diameter, stands 8.7mm in height, 2.7mm thick at its centre and weighs 10.71g.
Notes:
Cf. HAMP-0557A1, LON-831163, HAMP-4F6215 on this database.
Swivel mechanisms were employed for a variety of functions during the medieval period as strap-fittings and as such a specific function cannot be attributed to them. They are more often found broken rather than complete and comprise a central looped bolt. A more complete example can be seen on the database in record HAMP-0557A1.
Class: swivel
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1200
Quantity: 1
Width: 8.7 mm
Weight: 10.71 g
Diameter: 29.3 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 4th December 2016 - Sunday 4th December 2016
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SMR reference number: 61746
Other reference: IND05122016GC
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: TF9009
Four figure Latitude: 52.6454538
Four figure longitude: 0.80698478
1:25K map: TF9009
1:10K map: TF90NW
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.