Collection of Iron Age chariot copper alloy fittings, dating from around 350-100 BC from St Mary Bourne, Hampshire.
A2023.50.1: Bridle bit. Bridle component 1 - piece rein ring. An integrally cast bulbous figure-8 shaped side link is cast on one side, ending in a teardrop-shaped loop. The bulb of the side link has high-relief moulded decoration at the junction with the ring, in the form of comma-leaves connecting to a small flat boss on one side and a pellet on the other. The surface of the object has been tinned. The ring and side link have casting flashing still attached and casting channels (to each side of the side link) and a casting gate (from the end of the side link) still in place. The casting gate is 26.7mm long and 29.0mm in diameter and has traces of iron on it. Ring - thickness 8.8mm; external diameter 78.9mm; internal diameter 60.6mm; length excluding casting gate 111mm; thickness 24.6mm; casting gate length 26.7; casting gate diameter 29mm; weight 224.1g.
A2023.50.2: Bridle bit. Bridle component 2 - piece rein ring. An integrally cast bulbous figure-8 shaped side link is cast on one side, ending in a teardrop-shaped loop. The surface is tinned and there is no other decoration. The ring and side link have casting flashing still attached and casting channels (to each side of the side link) and a casting gate (from end of side link) still in place. Ring - thickness8.4mm; external diameter 79.2mm; internal diameter 61.3mm; length excluding casting gate 112.3mm; thickness 20.5mm; casting gate length 22.5mm; casting gate diameter 22.4mm; weight 211.3g.
A2023.50.3: Bridle bit. Bridle component 3 - piece rein ring. An integrally cast bulbous figure-8 shaped side link is cast on one side, ending in a teardrop-shaped loop. The bulb of the side link has high-relief moulded decoration at the junction with the ring, in the form of comma-leaves connecting to a small flat boss on one side and a pellet on the other. The surface has extensive tool marks. Ring - thickness 9.9mm; external diameter 80.3mm; internal diameter 62.4mm; length 117.2mm; weight 118.1g.
A2023.50.4: Bridle bit. Bridle component 4 - piece rein ring. An integrally cast bulbous figure-8 shaped side link is cast on one side, ending in a teardrop-shaped loop. There is no decoration. The surface has extensive tool marks and a stump of casting jet remains at the end of the side link. Ring - thickness 9.4mm; external diameter 78.4mm; internal diameter 59.9mm; length 113.9mm; weight 191.6g.
A2023.50.5: Linch pin 1, vase-headed type. The cast copper alloy head is of globular / vase-shaped form, 32.7mm in length with a discoidal terminal, 39.1mm in diameter. The disc has three patches of high relief comma-leaf and pellet decoration spaced equidistant around the rim and a central recess with a rim in the centre of the terminal which may have once held enamel. There are two perforations near the iron shank, both are infilled with rusted iron concretion. The head has extensive tool marks and evidence of tinning. The iron shank has a square cross section, 17.2mm thick and 78.1mm remains. The foot is missing.
A2023.50.6: Linch pin 2, vase-headed type. The cast copper alloy head is of globular / vase-shaped form, 33.9mm in length with a discoidal terminal, 39.8mm in diameter. The disc has three patches of high relief comma-leaf and pellet decoration spaced
equidistant around the rim and a central recess with a rim in the centre of the terminal which may have once held enamel. There are two perforations near the iron shank. The shank has a square cross section, 16.2mm thick and 52.8mm in length before terminating with a hoof-terminal foot, 45.0mm in length, of sub-conical form which curves into a flared oval terminal of 23.9mm diameter which is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and has a central recess with a moulded rim around the circumference.
A2026.50.7: Terret ring 1. A cast copper alloy lipped terret with 13 pairs of double transverse lips; there is a flat bar of rectangular cross section, 22.1mm in length.
A2026.50.8: Terret ring 2. A cast copper alloy lipped terret with 7 pairs of transverse lips; there is a flat bar of lenticular cross section, 43.6mm in length with a double ridged collar at either end.
A2026.50.9: Terret ring 3. A cast copper alloy lipped terret with 7 pairs of transverse lips; there is a flat bar of plano convex cross section, 40.3mm in length with a triple ridged collar at either end.
A2026.50.10: Terret ring 4. A cast copper alloy lipped terret with 7 pairs of transverse lips; there is a flat bar of plano convex cross section, 37.3mm in length with a triple ridged collar at either end.
A2026.50.11: Terret ring 5. A cast copper alloy lipped terret with 7 pairs of transverse lips; there is a flat bar of lenticular cross section, 47.1mm in length with a triple ridged collar at either end.
A2026.50.12: A cast copper alloy discoidal ingot, with a trapezoidal side profile and flat faces. The smaller face has a single hole at one side. Diameter 61.8mm; thickness 10.7mm; weight 233.5g.
A2026.50.13: A slightly convex copper alloy mount of uncertain date from St Mary Bourne, Hampshire. The mount is in the form of a leaf or arrowhead, with incised lines radiating out from a curved row of raised dots or pellets in arc between incised lines. The fixing comprises a single iron rivet through a piercing in the centre. The reverse is slightly concave, with extensive tool marks. Length 32.9mm; width 19.6mm; thickness 2.2mm; rivet 5mm; weight 4.4g.
