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

50.35mm L x 9.61mm W ,13.14g

Huge C 9thC Viking 'Ladder of life' strapend - theses are know 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

C8thC Viking fretwork 'ladder of life' strapend - these are well known for being unusually large

C10thC Anglo Saxon strap end 18.48g, 34.41mmL x 18.33mmW x6.53mm H

Only one of it's type found in Britain - donated to Colchester museum by NovaScotia Andy

'It is probably an insular copy of a Carolingian style, or it could even be the product of a workshop located on the fringes of the Carolingian continent, maybe somewhere like Domburg on the coast of Frisia. 10th - 11th century in date'.

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-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 decorated circa 8thC Saxon strap end

Medieval strap end

Stunning zoomorphic decorated circa 8thC Saxon strap end

Medieval decorated strap end

Medieval strap end