HARNESS FITTING

A late early-medieval or early medieval (1000-1200) copper-alloy strap fitting from harness / bridle fitting, perhaps from a cheekpiece. It consists of a trapezoidal/ square loop at one end with a parallel-sided integral plate extending from the shortest edge.
The loop is decorated on three outside edges with transverse (and sometimes diagonal) grooves. These edges all slope inwards and have a height of max.5.2mm. The loop is 14.7mm in length with a max. width of 15.5mm at the outside edge and a min. width of 11.9mm at the edge where the integral plate extends. Internally the measurement is 7.8mm by 8.8mm (max.) and 7.2mm (min.).
The integral plate has a triangular cross-section measuring 7.3x5.3mm where it extends from the loop. It is undecorated for c.8mm at which point two raised triangular mouldings and ribs, alternately arranged, give a height of 6.0mm. Beyond is a shallower (3.9mm high) slightly rounded section which widens the plate temporarily to 8.2mm wide; this has a central piecing 2.5mm in diameter which retains traces of iron corrosion. Beyond are two further raised triangular mouldings, apexes inwards, with a raised rib between (5.1mm tall). A rounded 8.2mm wide terminal extends beyond, flat and 3.2mm thick with a central piercing 1.4mm in diameter (retaining traces of iron corrosion). The underside of the integral plate is completely flat.
The object measures 55.1mm in length, 15.5mm in max. width, 6.0mm in max. thickness and weighs 11.37g. It has lost most of its original patina, the metal being rough to touch and a browny-purple in colour.