Anglo-Saxon silver strap end with long narrow plate split at the top with two attachment holes, while the opposite end is cast as a flat animal mask with large rounded ears. The main field carries one animal in profile, much elongated with the head curved back and biting the etiolated body. The hindquarters end in a regular leg but the forequarters are obscure and part of the field is filled with a large pointed leaf. Worn or heavily cleaned, it may originally have been inlaid with niello. Back plain, several small patches of green copper-alloy corrosion. The style of the animal is typical of 9th century Anglo-Saxon fine metalwork, known as Trewhiddle, after a coin-dated hoard in the style from Trewhiddle in Cornwall, Used for fine straps or braids and a relatively common dress element in this period. Approximately 93% silver by X-ray flourescence analysis. Found by metal detector at Crawley, Hampshire.
Silver strap end fitting
Anglo-Saxon, 9th century AD
Found with a metal detector at Crawley, Hampshire in 2001
This object would have been attached to the end of a fine strap or braid used in the clothing of the period. At one end you can see the attachment holes. At the opposite end is a flat animal mask with big eyes and rounded ears. The main field of the object is decorated with a stylised animal in profile, with the head curved back to bite the thin, spindly body. The animal is typical of the 9th century Anglo-Saxon fine metalwork style known as Trewhiddle, after a coin-dated hoard in the style from Trewhiddle in Cornwall.
