Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
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Unique ID: BERK-CF033C
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A Medieval copper alloy buckle frame dating to c. 1100-1300 AD. The figurine on the buckle is irregular in plan and cross-section. It is zoomorphic bearing the design of a winged lion or sphinx with serpent. The lion is standing on four feet with its head turned slightly to the left. The lion stands on a complete tubular bar. The bar joins the lions left and right paws together and is 10.3mm in length, and 3.2mm thick with a circular cross-section. Projecting from the lions back is an arched wing which has a pierced hole, possibly for use with an attachment. The lion's head consists of; two very small triangular projecting ears on either side; two projecting circular eye balls, and an open mouth. The lion holds the head of the serpent in its mouth. The head of the serpent is facing left. The body of the serpent is coiled around the neck of the lion, passes through its hind legs which then coils around the back of its torso, through its front legs, back up to the front of its torso where it terminates by the centre of its rib cage. The buckle has a dark green patina.
The buckle measures 28.7mm in length, 28.5mm in height, 13mm thick, and weighs 26.10 grams.
Similar zoomorphic buckle frames can be seen on the PAS database including LEIC-E0C8F1, LEIC-E6D76E, and LEIC-9663A2
Thanks to Rob Webley, PAS Project Officer for comments on this object.
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class: Standing animal
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Quantity: 1
Length: 28.7 mm
Height: 28.5 mm
Width: 13 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 26.1 g
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Other reference: 0014
Primary material: Copper alloy
Decoration style: Zoomorphic
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SU4372
Four figure Latitude: 51.44536413
Four figure longitude: -1.38266231
1:25K map: SU4372
1:10K map: SU47SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.