STRAP END

The strap-end is in very good condition, preserving much of the original niello infill decoration as well as the original three rivets that would have secured it to a strap at the split end. It terminates, as customary, in an animal head seen from above. This tapers at the 'cheek bones', to flare again at the nostrils, indicated by dimples. Grooves on the snout, three each side of the nostrils, the inner ones joining in a v-shape, are highlighted with niello. The eye sockets, now empty, would have originally been filled with glass; the tapering and chamfering on the head gives the traditional almond-shape contour to the eyes. On the forehead, the eyebrows are joined furrows and above them there is a lozenge-shaped field, also filled in niello, providing the background to four silver miniature lozenges arranged in a cruciform pattern. The ears of the animal are very large and round, with triangular pattern within, which originally would have been filled with niello, as would the beaded borders that frame the main body of the strap-end. On this, on a nielloed rectangular background with indented sides (above, to allow space for one of the rivets, and below for symmetry) is a backward-looking animal. This is a typical Trewhiddle-style dog, with large ear and 'nicks' on the body and limb for contrast. The back is undecorated. Strap-ends are fairly common finds, as they were widely used. On account of its shape and decoration, this rather refined strap-end can be dated to the 9th Century, see L Webster and J Backhouse The Making of England, London 1991, no 194.

The find measures: length: 39 mm in length; maximum width: 6 mm; weight: 4 g.

The age of the find, its precious metal content (which is greater than ten per cent) and the fact that there is no traceable owner are the three criteria by which the piece constitutes treasure under the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996.

Dr Anna Gannon
Department of Prehistory and Europe
British Museum

13th June 2005