Strap End

This elliptical strap end has a small zoomorphic terminal, depicting a stylized head, ears, brow, eyes, and nose in relief. The edges of the piece have a rope-like border. Below the rivets is a pelta shape, within which is a shape that resembles either a crown or a curved comb with five teeth. The central portion of the strap end, taking up most of the front, bears a crouched animal, perhaps a deer or a hare; the spirals on the long horns or ears seem to indicate a deer, but the very large hind limbs, small forelimbs and general body shape are more like a hare (1). The back is flat and featureless. Strap ends are a relatively common item in medieval northern Europe; they would have adorned the ends of leather or cloth straps, on belts and perhaps other types of equipment (2). NOTES: 1. Compare D. M. Wilson, Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork 700-1100 in the British Museum (London, 1964) 169, no. 71, pl. 30; no. 116, pl. 40; 189-90, nos. 97-98, pl. 37 (silver but with similar stylized central animal); D. A. Hinton, A Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork 700-1100 in the Department of Antiquities Ashmolean Museum (Oxford, 1974) 12, no. 5 (1940.11, although somewhat larger still the same general shape); 60, no. 31; and 65, no. 37 (1896-1908, Pr. 478); a strap end in the National Museums Scotland from Stevenson Sands, Ayrshire, inv. no. X.BMC 292; and a strap end recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme from Eden, Cumbria, inv. no. LANCUM-5F92B7. 2. Wilson 1964 (supra 1) 62-63. Lisa M. Anderson