STUD

Complete copper-alloy early medieval or medieval humanoid stud (c. 500 - 1200 AD). The stud is thick and flat and roughly square shaped in the abstract design of a human face. The top of the stud is oval and stands in relief on the front face of the stud with an instepped rectangular lip jutting from the bottom; the back face of the stud is completely flat. The nose and upper section of the face are formed from a T-shape design within the oval at the top of the stud. The bottom of the T fans slightly, representing the nose, and the arms of the T extend and curve around and back to the bottom of the T, framing two circular knobs within circular depressions which become the eyes. From the back of the stud, just off centre, an attachment rivet extends at a right angle to the mount face and terminates in a blunt point; this has been cast integrally with the stud. The stud is in very good condition and its features are crisp and clear. Corrosion of the copper-alloy has resulted in a pale green patina, however. The dimensions of the stud are: 14.84mm in length, 12.41mm in width and 3.88mm in maximum thickness. The weight of the mount is 3.01g.

No parallels for this object could be found at the time of recording. As this object is from a site which is producing predominantly Early-Medieval material a similar date is likely though not certain. It could possibly be earlier (possibly Iron Age or Roman) or slightly later.