STRAP FITTING

An incomplete cast copper alloy openwork mount or hooked tag of Early Post Medieval date (AD 1550-1650). The mount is sub circular in plan, with a integrally cast projecting hook on one side. This hook is broken and all that remains is a rectangular tab of metal. The decoration on the front is pieced and consists of an integrally cast crescent moon, with a face present, looking towards a six pointed star. The hook element extends from the star. The back of the mount is plain and undecorated. The remains of two projecting hooks broken flush with the back plate are present. The mount is mid green to dark brown in colour with an abraded surface patina. The remains of an applied white metal silvering or tinning is present. Abrasion has occurred due to movement whilst within the plough soil and has resulted in a loss of some of the surface detail and patina. Originally this hooked element would have been one of a pair, with its partner having an integrally cast loop to receive the hook. These mounts are thought to represent the Man in the Moon, and are possibly from a sword bell or baldrick. An published example is present in Read, 2008, p224, #805 and has been dated to c.16th to 17th Centuries AD. Several similar examples have been recorded on the PAS database either as mounts or strap fittings as HAMP-1C48B4, SUSS-2E08A5, NMS-26F8C0. A complete paired example has been recorded as NARC-6ECFD1.

It measures 23.9mm diameter and 32.7mm wide; it is 2.0mm thick and weighs 4.45 grams.

Reference:

Read, B. 2008. Hooked Clasps and Eyes. Portcullis Publishing. Langport.