Record ID: DOR-16A647
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete cast copper alloy domed bridle boss of Post-Medieval date (AD 1600 - 1700). It is an openwork domed multifoil type as classified by Maslin (2020). It has an ornate dome decorated with six spiralling arms and a small rounded knop at the centre. The rim has 16 lobes decorated with hearts and trefoils. One dome-headed copper alloy rivet with circular cross section is retained, the other is missing.  Date: Post Medieval Diameter: 65.27 mm Thickness: 24.61 mm Weight: 55.45 g Similar to database record SWYOR-A0D76A
Created on: Monday 25th September 2023
Last updated: Thursday 26th October 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-8196FF
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy mount, possible a boss from a bridle bit. The mount is circular with a low convex front and a hollowed rear, The front of the mount is decorated with a series of moulded concentric bands around a low domed area at the centre. The bands are as follows (from the outer edge): A band of raised chevrons pointing inwards, a rope patterned band, a plain raised band, a band of pellets. AT the rear is a raised rim around a shallow recess. There are some areas of damage on the rear surface, but no obvious attachment points. Date: Post Medieval - c. 1600 - 1700 Dimensions: 52.32…
Created on: Wednesday 22nd July 2020
Last updated: Friday 12th March 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-44902D
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete early post-medieval copper-alloy bridle boss, dating to AD 1450 - 1600. The object is circular and made up of a flat outer border, surrounding a projecting dome boss at the centre. The central dome has a hollow back. It's rounded top is decorated with moulded decoration of radiating spiral ridges around a central pellet on the dome. The flat outer border is similarly decorated with curving ridges running from the base of the dome to the outer edges, flowing in the opposite direction. Three rivet holes are present, set at equal distances apart on the flat outer border, on…
Created on: Monday 14th October 2019
Last updated: Friday 30th October 2020
Spatial data recorded.

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Record ID: WILT-C9E33E
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An Early Medieval to Medieval copper alloy harness fitting, probably a bridle bit link, dating to c. AD 1000-1100. The fitting consists of two loops connected by a bar of copper alloy, plano-convex in cross section, and with a expanded boss abutting one of the loops. This latter loop is plane and exhibits heavy wear opposite the bar. The other loop has a small knop projecting from each angle, with the bar taking the place of the fourth. The bridle bit measures 54.6mm in length, the knobbed loop measures 22.5mm in width, the enlarged part of the bar measures 10.1mm maximum thickne…
Created on: Tuesday 9th April 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 9th June 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOM-8D761A
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy mount of Medieval date. It is formed of two curved upright arms, D-shaped in cross-section and which are linked at their closest point by an integrally cast oval cross bar with flat back and front and curved sides. The uprights are both incomplete with on complete and one broken end. The complete ends are near the oval cross bar and end in slightly flattened circular terminals. The incomplete ends are both concave, as though they have broken across air holes or joints. The longer upright starts to curve more strongly away from the cross bar to almost be at 90 degrees to…
Created on: Tuesday 18th December 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 24th November 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PAS-5B678F
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
An incomplete late early-medieval/Anglo-Scandinavian cast copper-alloy cheekpiece of Williams Type 1 (c. 11th century AD). The only element to have been lost is one of the outcurving zoomorphic side plates, broken where the neck of the creature joined the body of the cheekpiece. The other side plate is intact and is formed of a curved Ringerike style animal head and neck in profile. The plate has a D-shaped cross-section, being curved on the front and flat on the reverse, The beast's neck is long and the head is set at roughly right angles to it. On the outer edge of the curve is a cu…
Created on: Tuesday 16th October 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 16th October 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wimborne St. Giles CP', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PAS-5A8269
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A slightly corroded fragment from a late early-medieval/Anglo-Scandinavian cast copper-alloy cheekpiece (c. 11th century AD). The fragment is formed of a curved Ringerike style animal head and neck in profile, broken through the neck. The cheekpiece is flat and the neck is long and the head is set at roughly right angles to it. On the outer edge of the curve is a recessed protrusion, broadly semicircular with a small off-central knop and a second raised knop towards its back (at the neck end). At the tip of the head is a recurving hook to the upper jaw. Below are three slight, lobed p…
Created on: Tuesday 16th October 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 16th October 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Gussage St. Michael CP', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: WILT-B252D3
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A fragment from a copper-alloy late early-medieval bridle cheekpiece (c. 11th century). The object is broken around the hole through which the mouth piece link would have travelled. The object is zoomorphic, in the form of a beast with a neck which begins below this hole and curves round on itself. The other half of the plate was presumably formed of a symmetrical neck and head. On the lower curve of the neck is a projecting knop with a central hole with two holes on either side above it, on the plate. At the head is a double lobed crest, the lobes separated by two piercings arrang…
Created on: Tuesday 15th November 2016
Last updated: Monday 19th December 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sixpenny Handley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOM-C2EB72
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Post Medieval copper alloy bridle boss, with the three rivets, disguised as roses, still in place. The fitting is broadly circular in plan with a raised central dome and a flat outer border. The outer edge has thirteen projecting terminals, evenly spaced around the edge, each with a bifed end of two rounded knops, some are damaged with worn breaks. The central dome has moulded decoration with four regularly spacedpiriform petals or leavesradiating down from a central raised knop to the outer border which is a circle of 22 raised dots. The leaves are outlined by a double incised border…
Created on: Tuesday 23rd August 2016
Last updated: Wednesday 5th October 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Stalbridge CP', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PUBLIC-42B758
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A incomplete iron bridle bit of probable post-Medieval to modern date. This snaffle bit comprises a circular-sectioned bar which has been bent into a loop at either end. Contained within the lower loop is a separately made iron ring. Ringdiameter 64.47 mm Bar diameter 6.81 mm Bit length 112.75 mm.
Created on: Wednesday 1st January 2014
Last updated: Monday 2nd July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Nr Wimborne', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PUBLIC-DEB4D3
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A complete iron bridle snaffle bit of probable Medieval to Post Medieval date. The bit consists of a linked mouth-piece with a circular cheek piece at either end. The bit has been constructed with a circular bar, flattened at either end and turned over to form the loop. The cheek-pieces are sub-circular in plan. The mouth-piece middle link is seized with corrosion, the two cheek-pieces remain free within the attachment loops. Length of linked Bits: 76.60 mm and 67.81 mm. Diameter of bit 7.68 mm. Diameter of cheek-pieces 64.92 mm and 64.49 mm. Cheek-piece bar 6.65 mm x 4.53 mm.
Created on: Friday 16th August 2013
Last updated: Monday 9th July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Nr Wimborne', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HAMP-69FB47
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Post-Medieval copper alloy tinned openwork bridle boss of Openwork Multifoil Type (Maslin, 2020). The boss has a central domed roundel (hollow to the reverse) c.22mm in diameter with a raised flattened knop and moulded concentric circles around. Surrounding the roundel is the openwork decoration are a series of arms (five of eight survive), bifurcating to join with a neighbouring bifurcated arm at the base of a fleur-de-lis. Between the arms, and alternating with the lis, is a probable acorn. Much of the original patina is missing but a white metal coating, probably…
Created on: Tuesday 23rd April 2013
Last updated: Thursday 15th October 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ringwood', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-34DFF8
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper alloy horse harness bit link. It originally comprised two oval loops,one of which is now broken. They are separated by a narrowed arm with a raised collar next to the broken loop. The back of the object is flat and the front is convex. The broken loop may have done so as a result of wear because it would have been attached to the bit, adjacent to the cheekpiece, and could therefore swing (Williams 2007, p. 4). The other end would have secured the reins. As is usual with this type of harness fitting, it is undecorated. A very similar harness fitting from Headbo…
Created on: Wednesday 27th March 2013
Last updated: Friday 23rd September 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Puddletown', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-CD2C34
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Anglo-Scandinavian copper alloy symmetrical cheek piece from a bridle. It is broken across the qperture for the attachment of the missing bit. The remaining fragment has a curvilinear outline. There are two apertures, one large and circular , the other much smaller and trapeziodal. It is decorated in a debased form of the Ringerike style, comprising a beast's head , projecting ear and neck curled around the larger aperture and some less distinct interlaced elements below. The back is undecorated and the piece is quite worn. Date: Early Medieval - c1020 -c1100 (David Wil…
Created on: Wednesday 26th May 2010
Last updated: Monday 17th July 2017
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Puddletown', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SUR-039504
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A circular gilded bridle boss of Figurative Multifoil Type (Maslin, 2020), with two attachment holes, at one of which the outer edge has broken away. The outer frame consists of foliate shapes and rounded lobes, the inner frame is of closely-spaced pellets. There is a central clean shaven face with rounded cheeks and long hair which is set on what appears to be a collar. Most of the gilding survives. Circa 17th century.
Created on: Sunday 17th May 2009
Last updated: Thursday 15th October 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOMDOR-657AB2
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a cast copper alloy cheek piece of probable eleventh century AD date. Its function was to link one end of a horse's bit to the cheek strap of the bridle. The surviving portion measures 38.2mm by 16.3mm by 6mm and weighs 8.6g. It comprises a rectangular loop, the adjacent arm which has a forward projecting dome at the end opposite the loop, and the stubs of two further arms which project diagonally to each side from this point. The front of the cheekpiece has bevelled edges and the back is flat. Three sides of the loop are decorated with short angled parallel lines. Other…
Created on: Thursday 11th January 2007
Last updated: Monday 20th March 2017
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Compton Abbas', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR455
Object type: BRIDLE BIT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
Copper alloy bridle cheekpiece. Two lozenge shaped couplings of different sizes (larger of two is broken). Joined by trapezoidal sectioned bar with raised sub-oval boss in middle. Smaller coupling has small knops at points. Larger is of heavier construction and is more barrel shaped. Each coupling has a sub-circular hole, the larger of the two is more worn. The back is flat.
Created on: Thursday 11th May 2000
Last updated: Thursday 13th July 2017
Spatial data recorded.