Copper alloy buckle elaborately made with human heads and curvilinear motifs.

Copper alloy buckle elaborately made with human heads and curvilinear motifs.

Buckle

Medieval, 13th to 15th century

Found during excavations by Winchester Museums Service Archaeology Section in a field just east of Wickham Square (opposite St Nicholas Church) in the mid- to late 1970s

In later medieval times, dress fittings for use on leather belts, straps and shoes were made in large quantities and often in quite intricate designs. This copper alloy buckle found on the site of the medieval manor house, is particularly fine. There was a penchant for putting faces on objects, although this is perhaps less common on metals than on ceramic tiles and pottery.

Copper alloy buckle elaborately made with human heads and curvilinear motifs.