BUCKLE

A complete cast copper alloy double looped oval 'spectacle' buckle frame, of Early Post Medieval dating (c. AD 1550 to c. AD 1650).

Approximately 50% of the buckle frame is present. The remains of the pin are present wrapped around the strap bar.

The buckle frame would have been double looped oval buckle, with cast floral decoration on the outer edges, one loop is missing presumed lost in antiquity. Lobed knops are present on either end of the narrowed and recessed strap bar. Wrapped around the strap bar, are the remains of an iron pin, heavily corroded. The reverse is flat and undecorated.

The buckle frame measures 28.2 mm in length, and is 31.1 mm wide. It has a maximum thickness (with the pin remains) of 5.8 mm thick, the frame measures 3.1 mm thick. It weighs 4.2 g.

The buckle frame is a dark brown to black in colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

A similar buckle frame has been published as no 407 by Whitehead (2003) and has been dated to the Early Post Medieval period (c. AD 1550 and c. AD 1650). Other examples have been recorded on the database including WMID-7E8A5C, WMID-BB5B01 and WMID-7F59C6.

Reference:
Whitehead, R. (2003). Buckles 1250 - 1800. Greenlight Publishing, Witham.