Accession No

1948.1325 B.1-2


Description

Unmatched pair of wrist clasps. The hook-piece (.1) is cast copper alloy, formed of three square bosses with transverse grooved bar between and three pierced square lugs or sewing holes on rear edge; the narrow hook extends down from a semicircular projection. The catch-piece (.2) is sheet copper alloy with degraded rear edge preserving the remains of two sewing holes; the slot is rectangular, evidence of a possible lost applied decorative strip.


Place

Europe; British Isles; England; Cambridgeshire; Little Wilbraham; Streetway Hill


Period

Anglo Saxon


Source

Neville, Richard Cornwallis (Lord Braybrooke) [excavator]


Department

Arch


Reference Numbers

1948.1325 B.1-2


Cultural Affliation


Material

Metal; Copper alloy; ?Bronze


Local Term


Measurements

31mm


Events

Description (Physical description)
A pair of wrist clasps. The socket half of a plain clasp of sheet bronze. Slot to take catch. Two perforations on opposite edge and clasps half ribbed with 3 perforations not matching
Event Date
Author: maa


Context (Found together / assemblage)
Grave 4, found with 'some beads'. Excavated in 1851.
Neville's illustration confirms that this mismatched pair were found together.
Event Date 1851
Author: maa


Context (References)
Neville, Richard C. (1852). Saxon Obsequies: Illustrated by Ornaments and Weapons Discovered by the Hon. RC Neville, in a Cemetery near Little Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, During the Autumn of 1851. J. Murray. Pl. XII (no. 4)
Event Date 1852
Author: Lily Stancliffe


Description (Physical description)
Unmatched pair of wrist clasps. The hook-piece (.1) is cast copper alloy, formed of three square bosses with transverse grooved bar between and three pierced square lugs or sewing holes on rear edge; the narrow hook extends down from a semicircular projection. The catch-piece (.2) is sheet copper alloy with degraded rear edge preserving the remains of two sewing holes; the slot is rectangular, evidence of a possible lost applied decorative strip.
Event Date 16/12/2020
Author: Lily Stancliffe


FM:15921

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