File:Anglo-Saxon Hines Type C1 Wrist Clasp (FindID 280355).jpg

English: An incomplete cast copper-alloy catch-piece from an Anglo-Saxon wrist clasp of Hines' Form C1. The outer edge of the loop/hasp as well as the lugs/spiggots are are now missing due to old breaks. It is rectangular in form, slightly curved in profile and with moulded outer edges and front face. The rear edge is trapezoidal, flat and undecorated with symmetrical moulded double-ridge necks to either side that join at the centre of the clasp. Two projecting spiggots are visible on the rear edge of the necks and seem to have had circular perforations, but these are incomplete due to old breaks and their precise form is uncertain. The necks spiral around to the catch side of the object (the front edge) where they extend into moulded and very stylised zoomorphic heads with projecting knops at top and bottom of the clasp. The moulded decoration at the head ends is complex and affected by the preservation of the object. However, at the centre of the spiralling necks can be seen small raised squares from which extend small spiralling triangular shaped motifs, perhaps representing eyes and beak or similar zoomorphic features. On the inner edge of the onject there are two small triangular notches above and below the central catch piece. Between the heads is an incomplete rectangular catch with the remains of a central square or rectangular perforation. All areas of the front face have traces of gilding, particularly in the recessed areas between the moulded decoration. The back face is undecorated, slightly concave in form and shows signs of copper-alloy corrosion in places.

The entire object has a dark green patina with some pitting and corrosion in places. It measures 34.38mm in length, 18.65mm in width, 3.03mm in thickness, and weighs 6.93g.

The plain rear edge, spiggots and moulded deouble-necked zoomorphic decoration indicate that this object belongs to Hines' Form C1 Anglo-Saxon wrist clasps (Hines, 1993: 67-68). These decorative motifs further define it as his 'Barrington Type', of which several examples are noted with a probable 6th century AD date range (Hines, 1993: 68). A similar date might be suggested for the current example.