BRIDLE BIT

Late medieval or early post medieval copper alloy and gilded bridle boss with oak leaf and acorn decoration. The boss has a central dome with a flat rim around it. The dome is conical with a rounded top and a hollow back. At the top of the boss is a raised domed pimple and half way down the sides are a pair of incised lines running around the dome. The flat rim is decorated with an elaborate incised design of a stem running all the way around, alternating between being closer to the dome or the outer edge. At four points the stem branches with triangular shoots in each branching point. Two branches end in large leaves with two lobes to each side and a pointed end. The alternating two branches end in acorns with cross hatched cups and parallel lines on the nut. Occasional additional leaves are found to each side of the nut and at one point on the stem. There is a narrow plain and slightly thickened border running all the way around the edge of the rim. There are three piercings through the rim, cutting through the pattern and not quite evenly arranged. There is a small amount of damage to the rim at one point. Traces of gilding survive in places.

The bridle boss is 48.9mm in diameter and 15.5mm thick; it weighs 22.50grams.

The boss would have been at one end of the bit on a bridle so it sat to one side of the horse mouth. Iron late Medieval examples are thought to date from 1250-1400 but most copper alloy examples are thought to be late 15th century or later (Ward Perkins 1940; 1993, 85) and go into the post medieval period. 17th century examples are usually moulded and with two rivet holes suggesting this example is earlier.