A copper alloy strap slide fitting made between c.1550-1700. Strap slides, also known as `keepers`, were commonly used as a decorative functional piece of dress accessory. They were used for securing the loose ends of straps or belts after passing through a buckle, to make mobility smoother. These fittings were commonly belonging to sword belts or baldric and also horse harnesses during the post-Medieval period.. The decoration of this fitting is a sub-rectangular body, comprising of 3 sections, the central element is rectangular with reeded/engrailed edges. These 3 sections are separated by two narrowed waists on either end of the centre, which then expand into rectangular terminals also decorated with engrailed edges.
This strap fitting was unearthed by a metal detectorist around the Winchester area.
This item can also be found on the Portable Antiquities Scheme website as: HAMP-53B212
