Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
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HARNESS MOUNT
Unique ID: SOM-631F02
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Fragment of a Post Medieval silver heralidic decoration, probably from a livery harness, probably c.19th century in date. The artefact is formed of a moulded thin silver front filled with a lead backing. Within the lead appears to be two or three small circular rivets, possibly iron, that project slightly from the lead surface at the top and down one arm.
The remaining section forms part of a now incomplete heraldic crest, possibly of a local Somerset family. The crest itself consists of two arms in armour embowed rising from a crown with bare hands holding a central facing leopards' face between them. The crown itself, displays a series of strawberry leaves, above a twisted rope band, with a wider band below that is decorated with a triangle, two annulets, then an oval then two annulets followed by a retangle. A twisted rope band is immediately below this. The piece has broken across the crown and bent upwards .
The fragment is now 41.5mm by 40.7mm 4.4mm thick at the thickest point, 5.6mm thick including the rivet, 11.91 grams.
Probably part of a livery decoration from harness or a coach although other locations are also possible. A more complete example of a different design dating to the 19th century can be seen on: https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/auction-catalogues/fonsie-mealy-auctioneers/catalogue-id-srfons10014/lot-e9bfd608-bb01-4d86-a334-a5150112367e (accessed14:41 on 24/01/2017). Similar crests can also be seen in situ on https://austenonly.com/category/carriages/ (accessed 14:50 on 24/01/2017). The crest has not yet been identified.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1700
Date to: Circa AD 1900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 41.5 mm
Width: 40.7 mm
Thickness: 5.6 mm
Weight: 11.91 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st January 2016 - Thursday 20th October 2016
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC receipt 17440
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Secondary material: Lead
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Taunton Deane (District)
Parish or ward: Ash Priors (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST1529
Four figure Latitude: 51.05403005
Four figure longitude: -3.21411944
1:25K map: ST1529
1:10K map: ST12NE
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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