MOUNT

An incomplete copper-alloy mount or strap fitting of Medieval date, c.AD 1200-1500. The mount is an elongated lozenge shape with a worn break at the narrowest point. Traces of decoration can be seen on the surface, although they are very worn. The decoration resembles a fleur de lis in a beaded border, as depicted in Egan and Pritchard (1991), pp.198-199, number 1077, which comes from a later 13th to mid 14th century context. One bead is still visible, slightly inset from the apex of the lozenge. Possible traces of a beaded border are visible along the edges adjacent to this bead. In the centre of the mount are traces of two rounded lobes, one decorated with square punched dots and the other decorated with incised diagonal grooves. These lobes seem to narrow towards a point inset from the narrowest point of the lozenge. The lobes also seem to join at their tops, possibly with traces of a central leaf shape, which would form a fleur de lis. The reverse is undecorated but bears the remains of two integral attachment spikes at either end. Both are broken close to the base.

The metal has a brassy patina and is very worn. The mount is 19.7mm long, 13.2mm wide, 4.0mm thick and weighs 1.6g.

A parallel is illustrated and discussed in Egan and Pritchard (1991), pp.198-199, number 1077. Similar objects are recorded on the database as DOR-8A3E21, SOM-9E8931, and KENT-D83E97.

Ref:

Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. (1991). Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London). London: Stationery Office Books.