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STRAP END
Unique ID: BH-56D411
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A cast copper-alloy late early Medieval (c. AD 875-1100) openwork strap-end, Thomas Class E, Type 1 variant, Winchester style, with zoomorphic and plant-scroll decoration. The strap-end is tongue-shaped, narrowing slightly from the attachment end to the curved terminal, and is D-shaped in cross-section. The flat rectangular attachment end is stepped on the front and flat to the reverse. The main panel consists of an asymmetrical moulded openwork design that features at the centre a four-legged creature walking towards the attachment end with its head turned back on itself. The animal's jaw is open with a bifurcating tendril extending to the upper beaded border edge. Its four legs extend downwards to three toed, clawed, paws that appear to be clasping a branch just above the external beaded border. A narrow tail loops behind the animal into the curved end of the object. In front of the animal next to its neck are four spokes creating a half-flower pattern with a central hemispherical pellet. This extends to four prongs that abut the double banded border of the attachment plate.
The reverse is undecorated but is laminated in places and pitted towards the attachment end. There are also remains of two circular-sectioned iron rivet plates housed in the attachment plate. The entire object otherwise has an even mid-green patina, with some patches of iron corrosion on the from of the attachment plate.
The strap end measures 52.89mm long, 26.39mm wide and 2.4mm thick. The iron rivets are 4mm in diameter. The entire strap end weighs 16.4 grams.
Class: Thomas Class E, Type 1
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 875
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 52.89 mm
Width: 26.39 mm
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 16.4 g
Diameter: 4 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 10th February 2019 - Sunday 10th February 2019
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Zoomorphic
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Northamptonshire (County)
District: East Northamptonshire (District)
Parish or ward: Brigstock (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SP9383
Four figure Latitude: 52.43707111
Four figure longitude: -0.63338378
1:25K map: SP9383
1:10K map: SP98SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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