Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
BUTTON AND LOOP FASTENER
Unique ID: YORYM-C0CDD4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A complete copper alloy button and loop fastener of Wild Class III, dating to the Roman period (AD 50 - AD 200).
The head of the fastener is teardrop shaped, with a central circular boss within a circumferential recess. The surrounding moulding is raised and drawn out into a point. The shank extends straight down from the reverse of the head, and bends at 90 degrees before forming a triangular attachment loop. The orientation of the shank results in the head and loop being on different planes. The reverse is flat and undecorated, except behind the head which is recessed under the central boss.
The metal is worn and dark green in colour. The fastener is 38.8 mm long, 18.9 mm wide, and 9.0 mm thick. It weighs 14.7 g.
Roman button and loop fasteners have been classified by Wild (1970) and this example falls under Class III: teardrop or petal-headed fasteners. Numerous other examples have been recorded on the PAS database, such as YORYM-604C99 and SWYOR-D68398. Downes and Griffiths (2017) in 50 Finds from Yorkshire state: 'Button and loop fasteners are perhaps best interpreted as multi-purpose fasteners for use with harness equipment as well as clothing. They are thought to be military objects, though the PAS examples tend to be found on rural sites not specifically related to military activity.'
Class: Wild Class III
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 50
Date to: Circa AD 200
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 38.8 mm
Width: 18.9 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 14.7 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: YMT: E05656
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Stamford Bridge (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE7154
Four figure Latitude: 53.977196
Four figure longitude: -0.91894248
1:25K map: SE7154
1:10K map: SE75SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild, J.P. | 1970 | Button-and-loop fasteners in the Roman provinces | London | The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies |
Similar objects
Find number: YORYM-F37A91
Object type: BUTTON AND LOOP FASTENER
Broadperiod: ROMAN
A complete copper alloy button and loop fastener dating to the Roman period (AD 50 - AD 200).
The head of the fastener is teardrop shape…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: YORYM-83B977
Object type: BUTTON AND LOOP FASTENER
Broadperiod: ROMAN
A copper alloy button and loop fastener dating to the Roman period (AD 50 - AD 200).
The head of the fastener is flat and teardrop shape…
Workflow: Published
Find number: YORYM-FF140B
Object type: BUTTON AND LOOP FASTENER
Broadperiod: ROMAN
An incomplete copper alloy button and loop fastener of Roman date, c.AD 50-200. Wild Class III.
The head of the fastener is teardrop sha…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618