SCABBARD

A late Early-Medieval to Medieval copper-alloy chape from the end of a scabbard, c.850-1200

Description: The chape is triangular in shape and made from one piece of copper-alloy folded in half leaving one open side and an opening at the top. Both sides of the chape have a simple open-work of three pierced circles. The openwork decoration is accentuated with incised lines adding to a knotwork effect, the edges of the chape have been shaped into a series of angular projections rather than left as a straight edge. The folded side has two rectangular cut outs continuing the open-work style of decoration. The chape probably would have arms extending from the top corner where the open sides meet but these have been broken off. The breaks are now patinated suggesting they occurred in antiquity, with the top also likely broken away across one of the three cut outs (see KENT-74044F for an example with complete upper section). The whole chape is patinated a mid-green colour and save the breaks and patination remains in a good condition.

Measurements: length:27mm, width:20mm, overall thickness: 5mm Weight:3.2g

Discussion: This chape fits a group of openwork 11th-12th century types with two main groups. A larger rectangular group often decorated with an openwork depiction a horse and rider (de Reuck 1991) and smaller Triangular examples such as this one with more esoteric motifs. A number which have the openwork elements picked out with punched or incised detailing can be seen at:BUC-C8E8B3, ESS-921663 and SOM-089B62. NMS-C10B77 also has incised detail and the remaining arm.