Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
HARNESS PENDANT
Unique ID: YORYM-8A5A40
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper-alloy harness pendant of Medieval date, c.AD 1200-1400. The pendant was originally octofoil in shape, with eight round lobes projecting from a circular centre, but is now missing two lobes which have broken off where they joined the centre. Each lobe and the spaces between the lobes are filled with traces of an enamel-like substance which is now beige in colour. The central panel is decorated with a cross surrounded by a wreath design which might represent the Crown of Thorns (Griffiths, 2005, p.68). Light blue enamel remains in the field around the central design and some patches of red enamel are also present. An integral attachment loop extends from one of the circumferential lobes, and corroded traces of a lug remain in the attachment perforation. The reverse is flat and undecorated, with some irregular patches of the beige enamel-like substance adhering to it.
The metal is black in colour and worn. The harness pendant is 42.2mm in length, 30.1mm in width, 4.3mm in thickness, and weighs 13.1g.
A harness pendant of this type is discussed and illustrated in Griffiths (2005), pp.67-68, pl.50, number 71. Similar objects have been recorded on the database as NLM-1061EF, SF-5FE1DD, and DEV-ACFB32.
Ref:
Griffiths (2005) 'Harness pendants and associated fittings' in Clark, J. (ed.) The Medieval Horse and its Equipment c.1150-c.1450, London: HMSO.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 42.4 mm
Width: 30.1 mm
Thickness: 4.3 mm
Weight: 13.1 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: YMT : E05968
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
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: Swanland (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE9827
Four figure Latitude: 53.73019869
Four figure longitude: -0.51600909
1:25K map: SE9827
1:10K map: SE92NE
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffiths, N. | 1995 | The Medieval Horse and its equipment c.1150-c.1450; Medieval Finds From Excavations in London:5 | Museum of London | pp.67-68, pl.50 | number 71. |
Similar objects
Find number: HESH-7A8971
Object type: HARNESS MOUNT
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Cast copper alloy harness mount of probable 14th-century date.
The front of the mount is sub-triangular (shield-shaped) in pl…
Workflow: Published
Find number: YORYM-456303
Object type: HARNESS PENDANT
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An incomplete copper alloy medieval harness pendant, dating to the periodAD1250-1400. The pendant is quatrefoil in shape, with angular projec…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: ESS-859794
Object type: HARNESS PENDANT
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Copper-alloy cast harness pendant of medieval date (c. 13th-14th century). The item is octofoil in shape, consisting of a central circular pl…
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