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    Saxon harness and strap fittings

    Stirrup mounts, reigns guides & cheek pieces

     

     

    C10thC Saxon stirrup mount - Class B type 2 - Mounts with central heads and flanking beasts

    46.71mm L x32.99mm W x 4.09mm T

    10th/11thC Late Saxon stirrup mount - Type 12 openwork version Page 7 - fig 312, David Williams

    20.10g, 46.78mm L x 27.47mm W x 4.99mm T

     

    c10thC Saxon stirrup mount type 12 - non open fretwork type , 43.56mm H

    Ref 302 Williams

    Stunning heavily cast Saxon stirrup mount - Type 4 East Anglian Face type mount

    A hollow cast head with trilobate apex. 2 Fe rivets survive

    c10th Saxon stirrup mount - Type 9 human mask type

    c10th Saxon stirrup mount - Type 9 human mask type

    Spectacular find

    c 10th C Late Saxon stirrup mount - Class 4 Type 10B - Traces of original silvering with decoration around top and edges remain

    This classification comprises most of the mounts reflecting the Urnes style influences and depicting coiled animals.

    Similar design Ref 190 Page 55 Williams - The curving neck of the beast seems to terminate in a head with a beak.

    Late Saxon stirrup strap mount Class A type 4

    The central design contains a variety of symmetrical looping shapes. Each type 4 has a projectng 'nose'

    Ref David Williams

     

    Late Saxon stirrup mount - Class 10 pierced animal type - design is hidden within hollows by corrosion

     

    c10thC Saxon stirrup mount

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast copper alloy stirrup strap mount of Williams Class A type 10B.

    Saxon stirrup mount

    ESS-975D55 STIRRUP

     

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) damaged and incomplete cast copper alloy stirrup strap mount of Williams Class A type 10B.

    Only the lower half of the mount survives. The design is an openwork Urnes style interlaced animal. There is a stepped flange on the reverse of the mount running parallel to the lower edge of the main body. The rivet holes are located in the flange, rather than on the main body of the mount.

    In its current condition, the mount is 27.23mm long, 29.31mm wide, 3.76mm thick, increasing to 11.89mm to include the flange. It weighs 9.85 grams.

    Class: Strap Mount
    Sub class: Williams Class A type 10B

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 1000
    Date to: Circa AD 1100

     

     

    C11thC Saxon stirrup mount - Class B Type 3 Group 2 ref Williams 429

    Similar PAS example BH-53C901 - Stag face

    c10thC Saxon stirrup mount - Class A Type 2

    Late Saxon stirrup strap mount Class A Type 11a

    Sub tringular mount depicts a Lion looking upwards with its front paw raised and tail curled between its legs and over the back found by Ohio John

     

    Late Saxon c10thC stirrup strap mount Class A Type 11a

    Sub tringular mount depicts a Lion looking upwards with its front paw raised and tail curled between its legs and over the back

    ESS-7FC982 STIRRUP & ESS-7FCBB7 STIRRUP

     

    late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast copper alloy stirrup strap mount of Williams class A type 11.

    The main body of the mount is triangular, with the two side edges being slightly convex. There is a trefoil terminal at the apex of the mount containing a rivet hole; the hole is slightly off centre, probably due to wear on the right hand side of the terminal. The main body of the mount has a cast design of a left facing lion (sometimes interpreted as a wolf), looking upwards with one front paw raised and a tail curled over its back. Below this design is an undecorated area containing a further two circular rivet holes, one of which is filled with corrosion products. There is a short flange projecting at a right angle from the lower edge of the mount, running between the positions of the lower rivet holes.The reverse of the mount is plain and undecorated. The metal is red-brown in colour with several patches of light green corrosion.

    The mount is 47.56mm long, 29.25mm wide, 5.35mm thick, increasing to 9.84mm thick at the flange. It weighs 26.54 grams.

    Class: Strap Mount
    Sub class: Williams Class A type 11

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 1000
    Date to: Circa AD 1100

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 47.56 mm
    Weight: 26.54 g
    Quantity: 1

    C10th Saxon stirrup mount - Class A type 10

    Coiled animal type

    C10th Saxon stirrup mount - Class A type 1

    Very unuusal thick cast decorated c10thC Saxon stirrup mount

     

     

     

     

    ESS-BFD910 UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

     

    c10thC stirrup strap mount

    Cast copper alloy object, possibly late Early Medieval in date. A lozengiform plate with two circular apertures. There are the remains of two further apertures on two corners of the lozenge but these have partially worn away. On one face there is a further hole that do not extend through to the other side. The plate is attached to a bi-lobate collar. It looks like there is a hole in the base of the collar for an attachment to something. Length 20.26mm, width 18.27mm, thickness of plate 2.73mm, thickness of collar 7.3mm, weight 4.5g. The surface of the object is abraded and corroded.

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 850
    Date to: Circa AD 1066

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 20.26 mm
    Width: 18.27 mm
    Thickness: 2.73 mm
    Weight: 4.5 g
    Quantity: 1

     

    c10thC Saxon stirrup alloy terminal - Class A type 1

    ESS-9293B1 STIRRUP

     

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast copper alloy stirrup strap mount of Williams class A type 1.

    The main body of the mount is pentagonal, with the lower edge being straight and the other four edges slightly concave. There is a circular rivet hole located at the apex of the mount (in the upper angle of the pentagon). There is a small-semi circular knop on each side of the mount at the upper two angles of the pentagon, and a further semi-circular knop positioned approximately half way along the length of the lower two edges. These knops form part of the zoomorphic decoration of the mount, the upper knop forms an ear, and the lower knop part of the snout. The remainder of the design is incised, creating two incised, entwined, stylised animal heads, one running down each side of the mount. Due to the level of corrosion on this mount, most of the incised design is no longer visible. There are two circular rivet holes towards the base of the mount. The reverse of the mount has a stepped flange running parallel to the lower edge. The reverse of the mount is plain and undecorated, but has traces of iron corrosion arond the upper rivet hole, and a small amount just above the flange, probably from an iron strap.

    The mount is red-brown in colour, however part of the original surface with a dark green patina survives on the front of the mount.

    The mount is 43.72mm long, 30.90mm wide, 3.42mm thick, increasing to 5.91mm thick to include the flange. It weighs 19.21 grams.

    Class: Strap Mount
    Sub class: Williams Class A type 1

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 1000
    Date to: Circa AD 1100

     

    Saxon stirrup strap mount - top fixing Type 2A

    Similar to a design found at Swafield Norfolk

     

    Saxon bridal mounts

    ESS-C0C3D5 HARNESS FITTING

     

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian) cast copper alloy fragment of a cheek piece from a harness fitting. The fragment is an incomplete sub-oval loop with a sub-rectangular projection at one corner containing two openwork ovals and has three semi-circular knops on the outer edge. The opposing side the loop is damaged and incomplete. The surface is worn and corroded, with only a trace of an incised design being visible. The fragment is 29.39mm long, 30.87mm wide, 4.11mm thick and weighs 9.53 grams.

    For similar examples see Finds Research Group datasheet 39.

     

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL Date from: Circa AD 950
    Date to: Circa AD 1100

     

    Anglo- Scandinavian harness cheek piece

    Saxon harness fitting 45.7mm L x 37.82mm W

    ESS-C06D96 HARNESS FITTING (Certain)

     

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian) cast copper alloy incomplete cheek piece from a harness fitting. The fragment comprises a flat plate formed by a late Viking-inspired creature, its body curving to create ares of openwork. The incised lines of the creature's body including its oval eyes can be clearly seen. Most of one side is missing. The centrally-placed projecting arm for attachment to the leather harness strap is also missing and there are worn breaks. There are three semi-circular knops on the outer edge. The fragment is 48.6mm long, 36.98mm wide, 3.82mm thick and weighs 26.7 grams.

    For similar examples see Finds Research Group datasheet 39.

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Ascribed Culture: Anglo-Scandinavian
    Date from: Circa AD 950
    Date to: Circa AD 1100

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 48.6 mm
    Width: 36.98 mm
    Thickness: 3.82 mm
    Weight: 26.7 g
    Quantity: 1

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian) cast copper alloy fragment of a cheek piece from a harness fitting.

    Note this example has unusual runic writing on the face

    Late Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian) cast copper alloy fragment of a cheek piece from a harness fitting.

    Stirrup terminals

    Saxon Stirrup terminal

    Early Medieval 11th century
    Saxon Stirrup terminal

    Early Medieval 11th century

    Saxon Stirrup terminal

    Early Medieval 11th century

    Saxon Stirrup terminal

    Early Medieval 11th century

    Superb Zoomorphic Saxon Stirrup terminal - hog design

    Saxon bridal arrangement

    Cheek piece with face decoration

    Very unsual Saxon harness fitting with circule enameled design- Sent to museum for their views

     

     

     

     

    ESS-BFA847 HARNESS FITTING

     

    Fragment of a late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) to early Medieval cast copper alloy harness fitting, dating circa AD 1000 to 1150.

    Only an openwork loop survives. It is lozengeform with a central circular opening. There is a slight swelling at three of the corners, on the fourth corner there is an incomplete rectangular projecting arm. The loop would have been part of a larger object used to attach leather straps.

    The fitting is a reddish-brown in colour with some of the original surface survivng, with a dark brown patina.

    The surviving section of the fitting is 31.11mm long and weighs 8.44 grams. The loop is 26.18mm wide, 4.29mm thick. The survivng section of the arm is 9.39mm wide and 4.42mm thick.

     

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 1000
    Date to: Circa AD 1150

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 31.11 mm
    Weight: 8.44 g
    Quantity: 1

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Saxon harness strap distributer

     

    C10th C Saxon harness strap distributer

    ESS-81ED27 HARNESS FITTING

     

    Incomplete late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) to early Medieval cast copper alloy harness fitting, dating circa AD 1000 to 1150.

    This artefact is a strap distributor, formed of a central lozengeform section with a domed circular boss. The reverse of the boss is slightly hollow. There is a projecting arm from each corner of the lozenge; the arms are sub-rectangular with concave sides. Each arm terminates in an incomplete loop which would have secured leather straps.

    The fitting measures 36.60mm by 37.69mm and weighs 19.62 grams. The central boss measures 13.36mm in diameter and is 15.24mm thick. The arms are an average of 5.72mm wide and 3.70mm thick.

     

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 1000
    Date to: Circa AD 1150

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 36.6 mm
    Weight: 19.62 g
    Quantity: 1

    Materials and construction

    Primary material: Copper alloy
    Manufacture method: Cast
    Completeness: Incomplete


     

    ESS-BE52A4 HARNESS FITTING (Certain)

     

    Incomplete late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) to early Medieval cast copper alloy harness fitting. This is an Anglo-Scandinavian design and dates from circa AD 1000 to 1150.

    This artefact is a strap distributor, formed of a central lozengeform section with a domed circular boss. The reverse of the boss is hollow. There is a projecting arm from each corner of the lozenge; the arms are sub-rectangular with concave sides and have a shallow 'D' shaped cross section. There are two arms with worn breaks across them. The other two arms are complete and terminate in an incomplete loop. The incomplete loops would have been lozengeform with a central openwork circle. Only about one third of each loop survives. These loops would have been used to secure leather straps.

    The fitting measures 59.44mm by 37.99mm and weighs 24.3 grams. The central lozenge measures 19.44 mm by 18.98mm, with the boss measuring 9.85mm in diameter and 15.3 mm thick. The arms are an average of 5.34mm wide and 5.12mm thick. The first incomplete loop measures 10.64mm wide, 15.7long and 3.89mm thick, and the second incomplete loop measures 8.61mm wide, 11.66mm long and 4.71mm thick.

    The object has It has a reddish brown patina and is almost completely covered with light green corrosion product.

    cf Williams, D 'Anglo-Scandinavian Horse Harness Fittings', Datasheet 39 of the Finds Research Group, page 5, f

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: MEDIEVAL
    Ascribed Culture: Anglo-Scandinavian
    Date from: Circa AD 1000
    Date to: Circa AD 1150

     

     

     

    ESS-C01001 Saxon GIRDLE HANGER

     

    Early Medieval damaged and incomplete cast copper alloy girdle hanger. The lower, openwork rectangular section survives, with a worn break where the arm and suspension loop would have been located. There are two openwork rectangles with a central bar. There are damaged and incomplete knops at the upper corners and two pairs of small triangular knops located on the lower edge located below each of the rectangular openings. The outer edges of the object and the edges of the triangular openings are bordered by small triangular punches. The reverse is plain and undecorated.

    It is 35.30mm long, 27.08mm wide, 3.22mm thick and weighs 9.13 grams. The open work rectangles are 13mm long, 5mm wide.

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL

    Ascribed Culture: Anglo-Saxon
    Date from: Circa AD 450
    Date to: Circa AD 600

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 35.3 mm
    Width: 27.08 mm
    Thickness: 3.22 mm
    Weight: 9.3 g
    Quantity: 1

    Materials and construction

    Primary material: Copper alloy
    Manufacture method: Cast
    Decoration style: Geometric
    Completeness: Incomplete

     

    ESS-977D67 Saxon STRAP END (Certain)

     

    A cast copper alloy incomplete Early Medieval strap end. This is a Thomas Class A type dating from circa AD 800-950. What remains is the zoomorphic terminal and the lower part of the plate. There is a worn break one third up the plate where the rest of the plate and the attachment end has broken off. The terminal consists of the head of an animal with a flat nose, cast large oval depressions for eyes, and prominent ears. Above the head the plate flares out to form what would have been convex sides. The centre of the plate is not solid but open. There are engraved spirals up the sides. The reverse is plain and flat. The object has a reddish brown patina which appears to be rust. There are patches of light green corrosion product on the abraded areas. Length 31.12mm, width 14.12mm, thickness 5.62mm, weight 8g.

    cf Thomas, G ' Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age strap-ends 750-1100, Part 1', pages 2-3, Class A

    Class: Class A

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 800
    Date to: Circa AD 950

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 31.12 mm
    Width: 14.12 mm
    Thickness: 5.62 mm
    Weight: 8 g
    Quantity: 1

    Materials and construction

    Primary material: Copper alloy
    Manufacture method: Cast
    Decoration style: Zoomorphic
    Completeness: Incomplete

    ESS-7EBE88 STRAP END (Certain)

     

    A late Early Medieval copper alloy strap end circa AD 850-1100. A long strap end, triangular in plan. The pointed end has bent round towards the reverse but this is probably accidental. The attachment end is split and there is one rivet hole which may still contain remnants of the copper alloy rivet, however the hole is filled with corrosion product. The object is decorated with some punched holes around the rivet hole and three cast horizontal ridges; one above the hole and two below. The patina is reddish brown with some light green corrosion product concentrated on the reverse. Length 28.94mm, maximum width 6.8mm, thickness 2.78mm, weight 1.8g.

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 28.94 mm
    Width: 6.8 mm
    Thickness: 2.78 mm
    Weight: 1.8 g
    Quantity: 1

    Materials and construction

    Primary material: Copper alloy

    Manufacture method: Cast

    Completeness: Complete

     

     

    ESS-9E4FB2 STRAP END

     

    2010 T167 Early Medieval strap end

    Date of Discovery: 12th March 2010

    Circumstances of discovery: Whilst searching with a metal detector.

    Description: Early-Medieval Thomas Class A Type 1 strap end, cast in high tin copper alloy. The strap end is sub-rectangular in plan and rectangular in profile, increasing in thickness towards the terminal. There are two circular rivet holes at the split end; the copper alloy rivets survive but have become detached. The upper surface is decorated with a stylized foliate design, similar to the 'speckled fruiting plant' seen in Thomas (2003) figure 1.3. The terminal depicts a stylised animal head, with two large sub-rectangular 'ears' still visible, the remainder of the head is worn, however there are two slightly raised areas to either side that would have represented the eyes. The reverse of the strap end is plain undecorated. It is 36.18mm long, measures 10.66mm across the widest point, has a maximum thickness of 2.71mm and weighs 2.52 grams.

    Date: Anglo-Saxon strap ends date from 740-1100AD, peaking in the 9th century. It is likely that this example is of 9th century date.

    Disposition: Not Treasure. The finder reported this as treasure believing it to be silver. However, the strap end does not contain a minimum of 10% precious metal and therefore falls outside the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

    Laura McLean Finds Liaison Officer, Essex Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service April 2010

    References: Thomas, G. (2003) Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking-age strap-ends 750-1100. Parts 1 and 2. Finds Research Group 700-1700

    Class: Thomas Class A Type 1

    Subsequent actions

    Subsequent action after recording: Donated to museum

    Treasure details

    Treasure case tracking number: 2010 T167

    Chronology

    Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
    Date from: Circa AD 800
    Date to: Circa AD 900

    Dimensions and weight

    Length: 36.18 mm
    Width: 10.66 mm
    Thickness: 2.71 mm
    Weight: 2.52 g
    Quantity: 1

    Materials and construction

    Primary material: Copper alloy
    Manufacture method: Cast
    Completeness: Complete

     

    Very interesting decorated Saxon strap end with eye fitting - single rivet fixing remaining

     

    Stunning zoomorphic c10thC Saxon strap end - 2 rivet fixings still in place

    50.35mm L x 9.61mm W ,13.14g

    C8thC Saxon decorated strap end - rivet fixings

    Huge C 9thC Viking 'Ladder of life' strapend - these are well known for being unusually large

    70.23mm L x 28.15mm W, 43.24g

     

    C8thC Viking fretwork 'ladder of life' strapend - blue and green enamel remains

    9thC Viking engraved silver strap end 5.82g, 44.44mm L x 11.91mm W. donated to Colchester museum

    Decoration matches the bowl on the left which is part of a known Viking silver hoard

    Stunning zoomorphic decorated circa 8thC Saxon strap end

     

    Stunning decorated circa 8thC Saxon strap end

    Large C8thC Saxon mount

    Anglo Scandinavian strap end

    Anglo Scandinavian strap end

    Viking strap end

    C10thC Saxon gilded and circle decorated hanger

    C10thC Saxon gilded harness ring - gold dot decoration remains on faces

    c10thC Anglo Saxon looking bronze fragment with silver inlay

    Anglo Saxon strap end

    Anglo saxon zoomorphic strap end

    Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) strap-end (c. 850-c. 900).

    C10thC Saxon gilded mount

    c10th Saxon stirrup mount ?