STRAP FITTING

Incomplete Late Iron Age enamelled copper alloy strap fitting dating to the period c. 100 BC - AD 150. Quatrefoil in shape with a central domed boss. It exhibits a central circular recess filled with yellow champlevé enamel surrounded by eight sub-triangular cells. The boss is surrounded by a circular recess containing traces of degraded enamel of uncertain original colour. On two sides is a projecting D-shaped petal, each with a D-shaped reserve divided into three triangular cells by two internal reserves. Two of the cells on each petal retain red enamel. The other two petals are elongated D-shaped, each exhibiting a crescentic reserve divided internally four reserves into five cells filled alternately by red and yellow enamel. Beyond this is a second crescentic reserve divided into a series of triangular cells by internal reserves.

All four petals exhibit heavily abraded edges.

In the centre of the reverse is a circular concavity mirroring the position of the boss. On either side is a rectangular-sectioned stub from the missing attachment lugs or loop.

Similar in form to SF-8C0836, CAM-C50C9F & LIN-138D30. The latter record notes:

"By definition this object is not technically a strap junction, having only one rectangular strap bar on the reverse, however its design and decoration bears close parallels to a number of examples from the 'ring with concealed bars', and 'petal or cruciform' strap junction groupings (cf. MacGregor, p32). The reverse technology of this artefact is identical to two others noted by MacGregor (1976), both from the petal or cruciform group, found at West Stowe (MacGregor, Vol 2, #28) and Traprain Law (MacGregor, Vol 1, p34)."