File:Cast copper alloy two piece strap end of medieval date (1300-1400). (FindID 70734).jpg

English: Cast copper alloy two piece strap end of medieval date (1300-1400).

The strap end consists of two pieces, a cast decorative front plate and a rear plate formed from a copper alloy sheet. The strap end is broadly sub-rectangular in plan, with a tapering blunt point, and is sub-rectangular in section. It measures 39.8mm in length, 14.1mm width, and is 6.6mm thick. It weighs 12.51 grams.

The strap end can be divided by both shape and decoration into three distinct areas. The first is sub-rectangular in shape (16.1mm x 13.7mm x 6.1mm) and located at the open end of strap-end. Here, the front face is decorated with a series of incised lines contained within a sub-rectangular panel. The design within this panel consists of an incised lombardic M which is below a crown. The crown is formed from a horizontal band with a central sub-rectangular point and two sub-triangular wedges at each end. These two design elements are undecorated; however, the rest of the panel is filled with a series of uneven diagonal lines, which makes the central elements stand out. The top of this design is pierced by a single copper alloy rivet, the head of which is undecorated.

The second area is located directly below the first, and is again sub-rectangular in shape, but is set on one point to form a lozenge (or diamond) shape (15.7mm x 14.6mm x 6.6mm). This area is also hollow, like the one described above. On the front face of this area is another incised design. This consists of a double cross (one consits of horizontal and vertical lines and the other is formed from diagonal ones) constructed from sub-triangular wedges. The whole of this design is contained within an incised square panel.

The third area extends below the second and is sub-triangular in plan (14.3mm x 12.2mm x 5.8mm). This area is not hollow and is cast as a single terminal. The terminal consists of a single suspension loop which is set at 90 degrees to the plain of the body of the strap-end. The loop is sub-circular (D shaped) and the hole has been elongated due to wear (internal diameter 2.3mm). The terminal of the strap-end is decorated with two raised cast horizontal band which have been decorated with linear incised lines.

The sides of the strap-end have also been decorated with a mixture of horizontal and vertical incised lines. These form a crude castellated effect. Other areas have been entirely covered with a layer of gold coloured gilt. The rear of the strap-end also has traces of gilt adhering to it suggesting that the entire reverse was once covered.

There is one single rivet, located in the first area described, to attach the strap to the strap-end. This rivet is made from copper alloy and has a diameter of 2.2mm. The heads of this rivet are also counter sunk, so they are flush with the body of the strap-end. The rear sheet of copper alloy is 0.9mm thick and seems to have been welded to the strap end rather than attached by the rivet. A small sub-circular hole is also present in the middle of this sheet. This might originally have been for a second rivet, although there is no corresponding hole in the front plate.

The strap-end is a mid-dark green colour with an even patina which covers all surfaces of the artefact. As already mentioned small trace of gilt finish adhere to the majority of surfaces on the strap-end which suggests that it originally was completely covered in gilt. The rear plate and also the hollow strap box have suffered from abrasion and this has caused the object to become slightly asymmetrical. A small amount of organic matter, probably the remains of the leather strap, is present below the rivet inside the strap end.

Similar strap-ends can be seen in Geoff Egan's and Frances Pritchard's book: Dress Accessories 1150-1400: 2002; pages 132-135: specifically example 614, which is very similar in form but not in decoration.

Update - 6/1/16

Erica Darch has correctly pointed out this strap end is from a book clasp / fitting. See Egan (1998) The Medieval Household: Daily Living c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London), 277- 80. The dating remains accurate