BUCKLE

A near complete, cast, copper-alloy medieval buckle and frame dating between 1300 and 1500.

Description: The plain, single loop, rectangular buckle frame has a copper-alloy sheet buckle plate folded over the strap bar. The frame is rectangular in cross-section and is wider on the inside edge. The outside edge and half of the lower edge of the frame is missing. The asymmetrical plate is sub-rectangular with recessed corners where it meets the strap bar. Originally the plate would have had a fleur-de-lis or trefoil terminal which is now missing, only the neck remains truncated horizontally at the end. On the reverse the plate is truncated just beyond the pin slot. The plate has one central rivet hole and another with the rivet still in place positioned centrally in the neck of the fleur-de-lis. The pin is complete, tapers to a point and is in situ. There are remains of gilding on the upper edges of the frame and the upper surface of the plate. The buckle and plate has a green patina.

Measurements: length: 39.22mm, width: 19.28mm, weight: 4.07g

Discussion: A similar hinged plate with rectangular buckle frame was found in a mid 13th-century context in Winchester (Hinton in Biddle 1990, no. 1122). Other examples have been recorded by PAS, including NLM-088113 and HAMP-700307 thus 14th or 15th century date is suggested.