BUCKLE

An incomplete sheet metal decorated copper-alloy buckle plate, c.13th-14th century.

Description: The plate has the shape formed from two semi-circles apex to apex, creating a waisted effect. The slightly smaller of the two has a concave end, the opposite end is broken abut appears to have the remains of a tab to wrap round the strap bar. The upper surface has  incised decoration formed from a continuous double border around the edge, which expands to a triple border along the edges, the primary field has a large oval with two s-scrolls at each end. There is a triangle in each corner of the field. This completes a vegetative effect

There is a single rivet hole at the terminal end which has a complete rive in situ. The buckle end has two rivet holes at the buckle end corner, one corner has broken across the corner. The buckle plate has a dark green colour, the remaining rivet is mottled red brown and light green.

Measurements: 35.93mm long, 24.7mm wide, 3.32mm thick (inc rivet, 1.08mm thick without) and 3.37g in weight

Discussion: The decoration and waisted style is similar to rather more waisted buckles dating from the 13th-14th century., but these tend to be lobate the e.g. CORN-EDF230 and DENO-6AC956. The decorative vine like decoration while occurring in the early high medieval period it originates on early-Medieval Carolingian metalwork. It is therefore not yet certain exactly which of the two period this plate dates to, though on the balance of probability a medieval date c.1200-1400 is most likely