MOUNT

An incomplete copper alloy object, probably a mount of Post Medieval date, but possibly an Early Medieval or Medieval strap end.

The remaining portion consists of a sub-rectangular plate, broken at both ends. One end tapers in thickness while the other gradulally increses in thickness. It flares slightly towards each end, with the narrowest point near the thinner end. It is decorated with an incised design of a trefoil at the narrowest point, with a chevron in the middle of the plate, and back to back crescents, each containing short curved recesses, at the thcker end. The underside is flat. There is a single copper alloy rivet in the centre of the plate just below the break at the thicker end. The rivet remains in place but is very short. The object has a dark green patina with patches orf red metal showing through, and with a grey reflective surface in places suggesting it may have been tinned. It is 28.1mm long, 11.9mm wide and 4.1mm thick. It weighs 5.12g.

No close parallel has been found. It is probably a 16th or 17th century strap mount similar to GLO-050D55. However, it could also be a mount form a Medieval box or casket similar to NLM-037BD2, or a tang plate from a Medieval to Post Medieval knife, or a strap end of Medieval date (about AD 1350 - 1400) - a strap end of this broad type is illustrated in Egan and Pritchard, 1991, Dress Accessories, 1150 -1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London),page 147 number 703. There are also some similarities with Thomas Class H strap ends such as SWYOR-751A9C and LANCUM-B465F4 dating from AD 1000 - 1100, but the overall form is not the same.