UKDFD Recording Software

Swivel

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:49:48 GMT

Description:		One D-shaped ring of a small two-ring swivel for suspension or strap distribution. The ring retains the corroded remains of the iron rivet that connected the two rings and provided the pin on which they swivelled. Suggested uses for swivels of this type include harness applications, dog leashes, and for linking the leash and jesses in hawking. Close dating is difficult. For a complete swivel of generally similar type, see UKDFD 7345.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Mon, 20 May 2024 08:26:24 GMT

Description:

The female element of a two-piece zoomorphic swivel for suspension or strap distribution. Originally consisting of two sub-oval rings of similar size, each with an integral hemispherical boss, flanked on either side by animal-head mouldings. The bosses provide the means of connection, one incorporating a spigot (cf. UKDFD 27157) and the other recessed or pierced to accommodate it (cf. UKDFD 26046). The two parts will be free to rotate, but axial movement will be constrained by swaging.

Suggested uses for swivels of this type include harness applications, dog leashes, and for linking the leash and jesses in hawking. Close dating is difficult.

Swivel

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 18:28:45 GMT

Description:		A wrought iron swivel consisting of a main D-shaped loop held captive to a smaller circular loop with an integral dome-headed spigot. Corroded onto the smaller loop is a separate short projection. The projection appears to be incomplete, having once been formed into a U-shaped attachment and drilled trough for riveting to leather. See UKDFD 43530 as an example of this type of fitting. Also found from the same site, UKDFD 57481, UKDFD 57493 and a quantity of iron harness related buckles.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 19:40:45 GMT

Description:		One distorted iron element of a two-piece swivel for suspension or strap distribution. It would have originally been attached to a second similarly shaped ring with an integral rivet. See also UKDFD 57481 as a complete example found on the same site.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:52:34 GMT

Description:		A simple wrought iron swivel, consisting of two plain D-shaped loops of differing size that are joined together with a separate rivet. Close dating is problematic. The swivel was found among other period wrought iron objects; (UKDFD 57474 & UKDFD 57464), to which broad dating is based upon. A similar copper-alloy example is recorded as UKDFD 28205. See also UKDFD 15012.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:28:21 GMT

Description:		The female element of a two-piece copper-alloy swivel for suspension or strap distribution. The object somewhat resembles a large finger ring, the 'shoulders' of which are in the form of degraded animal-head mouldings, and the oval 'bezel' centrally pierced to facilitate connection to a similarly shaped male element. For similar complete swivels, see UKDFD 40584 and UKDFD 32518. Note re dating The decoration of zoomorphic swivels of this type is inspired by the Romanesque art style of the 11th and 12th centuries. However, the influence of the style persisted throughout the medieval period, and close dating is therefore difficult. Suggested uses for swivels of this type include harness applications, dog leashes, and for linking the leash and jesses in hawking.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:17:19 GMT

Description:		One element of a two-piece swivel for suspension or strap distribution. The ring has degraded animal-head mouldings at the two junctions with the boss. The boss has a projecting spigot, which was connected to the missing part of the swivel. For the female element of a similar swivel, see UKDFD 26046. For complete swivel examples, see UKDFD 48727 & UKDFD 13016. Suggested uses for swivels of this type include harness applications, dog leashes, and for linking the leash and jesses in hawking. Note re dating The decoration of zoomorphic swivels of this type is inspired by the Romanesque art style of the 11th and 12th centuries. However, the influence of the style persisted throughout the medieval period, and close dating is therefore difficult. See also; UKDFD 27157.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:13:26 GMT

Description:		A small composite copper-alloy swivel dating to the Anglo-Norman period. The main body is wedge-shaped in cross section and piriform-shaped in plan, with an open centre and pierced terminal end. Each side is embellished with four projecting knops. The top of the body has a transverse socket hole and the frame is split at this point, possibly to accommodate the insertion of the shank of the upper swivel element during manufacture. This second swivel part has a flat sub-circular head which is centrally pierced, and a projecting circular sectioned shank with a dome-headed terminal allowing it to rotate freely whilst being held captive in the base frame. No similar swivel has been traced to date for comparison. Its small dimensions would suggest lighter functional use than the larger swivel types such as; UKDFD 27810 . It could have once been attached to a chain, or a larger loop as part of an assemblage, NCL-5D3D67, but this is speculative. Regarding dating, the red toned colour of the metal is consistent with other artefacts produced in the Late Anglo-Scandinavian to Norman period, such as; UKDFD 51611, and the decorative external knops can be compared with artefacts; BERK-2B1D3E & UKDFD 56751.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel (Fragment)

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:38:55 GMT

Description:		An incomplete zoomorphic swivel of the medieval period. The fragment consists part of the upper attachment loop and its decorative zoomorphic terminal, from which projects the broken remains of the cylindrical spigot housing. For similar complete examples, see; NARC-9EC34C & LVPL-40A87A. See also SF-86DE13.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels

Swivel

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 21:06:04 GMT

Description:		A medieval copper-alloy swivel component that is one element of a two-part construction. The part consists of a hollow domed boss and an integral perpendicular loop with pierced zoomorphic shoulders. The swivel part is slightly distorted, and the socket appears to have has lost its flanged collar. When complete, the swivel consisted two parts that were joined together by an integral projecting spigot with a dome-headed terminal (UKDFD 27157). This was inserted into the hollow boss to create a ball-and-socket joint, which axially held the part captive but allowed free rotation. This was likely achieved by heating the female part to expand the collar, which together with light external crimping retained the spigot in place once cooling and contraction of the collar began. See UKDFD 7978 as a similar example of this fitting type, and UKDFD 1687, which appears to show the fitted part with partially missing hollow boss. See also NMS-25A588 & NMS-DCC0C8, which describe the swivel type as having domed elements with hidden assembly. See also UKDFD 55265, which is seemingly joined in the same manner, and for an earlier example; KENT-3F1080. An alternative swivel joint was achieved by one element having a simple ring (UKDFD 55923), the spigot then similarly coupled to retain in place (UKDFD 28205). A later composite example; UKDFD 53665. The decoration of zoomorphic swivels is inspired by the Romanesque art style of the 11th and 12th centuries. However, the influence of the style persisted and devolved somewhat throughout the medieval period. Suggested uses for swivels of this type include harness applications, dog leashes, and for linking the leash and jesses in hawking.
Category:		Medieval, Swivels
Category:		Swivels