A Late-Medieval 'Lyre-Shaped' Buckle from the Durham River Wear Assemblage
Description
This research report presents the findings of a study on artefact 'Elvet Bridge 4027', a previously unidentified buckle recovered from the River Wear in Durham, England. The report explores the possible materials and methods used in the construction of the artefact, and discusses the significance of the decorative elements present on the buckle in the context of early 15th-century English society. Possibilities of who the object may have belonged to are also discussed. The report provides information on the regional context of the find site and the materials used in the production of medieval buckles in England. A crux of this research arises when delving deep into the widely accepted dating for this typology of buckle. It is discovered that the brass effigies, which have been the basis for assigning a date of 1390-1420 to similar buckles, do not actually depict a 'lyre-shaped' buckle on the depicted deceased. Instead, they only show a 'lyre-shaped' strap end and/or a square-shaped buckle. This research challenges the previously held beliefs about the dating of this typology of buckle.
Files
Navone DAJ 23 2022.pdf
Files
(4.1 MB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:a26e747d608ba53d5abee2234236f35d
|
4.1 MB | Preview Download |
Additional details
Related works
- Is published in
- 0265-8038 (ISSN)
References
- Egan, G and Pritchard, F, 1991 Dress accessories: c.1150 – c.1450. London, hmso.
- Durham University Archaeology Department, 2020 'The Durham River Wear Assemblage Project' https://www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology/research/ projects/all/?mode=project&id=622
- Aalen, F H A and English Heritage, 2006 England's landscape. The North- East, London, Collins.
- Drogin, M, 1980 Medieval Calligraphy: its History and Technique. Montclair, N J, Allanheld and Schram.
- Egan, G, 1998 'Miniature toys of medieval childhood'. British Archaeology 35, 10–12.
- Hayward, M, 2012 'Latten', in Encyclopedia of Medieval Dress and Textiles, Edited by Gale Owen-Crocker, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Maria Hayward. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2213-2139_emdt_COM_415
- Flynn, T, 2016 'Buckles'. https://finds.org.uk/counties/findsrecordingguides/ buckles/#Introduction
- Lancum, 2017 'Strap End'. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/ id/770874
- Liungman, C G, 1994 Dictionary of symbols. New York: Norton.
- Maere, R, 1910 '"ihs" The Catholic Encyclopaedia'. https://www.newadvent. org/cathen/07649a.htm
- Mitford, J, 1842 'An Argument for the Greek Origin of the Monogram ihs'. Read before the Cambridge Camden Society May 25, 1841. The Gentleman's Magazine: and historical review, July 1856 – May 1868, 284–6. https://search-proquest-com.ezphost.dur.ac.uk/pageimage/849101 8?accountid=14533
- Ward-Perkins, J B, 1940 Medieval catalogue. London, The London Museum.
- Williams, E, 28 January 2020 're: Question about tin/tinning on artefact', Message to Shelby Navone [Personal Communication].
- Hannan, J, (2012) Brass effigy of Sir Andrew Louterell. Available at https:// flic.kr/p/21bv2h9 [Accessed 1 February 2020].
- Portable Antiquities Scheme (2019) FAKL FAKL-BC BC86A9. Available at http://finds. org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/955287 [Accessed 1 February 2020].
- Ward-Perkins, J B, (1940, 267). Bronze with a figure of St. Christoper with 'M M' monogram [print] Medieval catalogue, London, The London Museum.
- Ward-Perkins, J B, (1940, 267). Drawing of John Cody's strap end [print] Medieval catalogue, London: The London Museum.