STIRRUP

A fragment from a cast copper-alloy stirrup-strap mount of late early-medieval date (c. 11th century AD) which can be categorised as being of Williams's Class B, Type 1, Group 1.

It comprises a flat, sub-rectangular plate with a moulded front, broken through apertures. It has been broken at the base of a central rib which would have connected to a central zoomorphic motif. From each end of a transverse bar from which the central rib develops a moulded animal head springs, each with incurved removals along the longitudinal edges creating a brow and nose in-one, and with a central pellet for an eye. Between the heads are two broadly square holes with rounded corners, separated by a central rib which connects to the top of the mount. On the outer sides of each small head there is a sub-oval perforation; on one side the mount has broken through at this point. Where the mount continues below the other sub-oval perforation there is an engraved border line, and a curved line which connects this to the moulded head. There is a further engraved line, longitudinal, between the sub-square holes. Each upper corner of the mount is formed of a projecting semi-circular lobes, both of which have cusps at each end, and a small one below, to each side; neither rivet survives.

Similar examples can be seen in Williams (1997, 86; fig. 54). The most directly comparable example is no. 401 as it also bears engraved decoration. The upper corners seem to be more similar to examples of Williams's Class B, Type 1, Group 2, also illustrated in fig. 54, however, various examples of Group 1 recorded on this database also have a similar treatment of these corners. This feature, as well as the trio of animal heads, further suggests a close connection between the groups.