STRAP END

A complete late early-medieval, copper-alloy zoomorphic strap-end, dating to the period 1000-1100. It is a strap-end of Thomas' Class G, measuring 33.49mm in length and 10.16mm at maximum width. It is parallel-sided with a wedge-shaped split end but missing most of its openwork tongue which would have depicted a sinuous beast with an asymmetrically interlaced body. This would have emerged from the protruding animal mask located at the narrower end of the wedge-shaped body, opposite to the split end. At this point (just before the mask) the body is at its narrowest, measuring 5.87mm wide. The mask is formed of a triangular moulding with two circular depressions c.1mm in diameter. These retain traces of a white-coloured substance. This is the widest part of the mask and measures 7.27mm wide, and probably represent ears or horns. Below and to the side of the mask on each side is a triangular moulding for the eye. Beyond this is the squared-off snout. A fragment of the tongue remains, decorated with five roughly vertical ribs running up to the (old and worn) break.
The body of the strap-end retains traces of worn moulded decoration in three separate areas of differeing size. Behind the mask, the largest area, are three slightly diagonal ribs. Beyond is a squarish area with possible a grooved cross in saltire at the centre. Above and at the very end a grooved line flanks all edges. At the centre of this and piercing the split end is an iron rivet. This end measures 5.21mm in thickness.
The strap-end tapers to a thickness of 1.83mm at the snout. The total weight is 5.58g, and has a dark browny-purple patina throughout, slightly rough to the touch.

Parallels to this include HAMP-195AC4 and Thomas (2004), Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age strap-ends 750-1100: nos. 36 and 37.