https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png UKDFD Recording Software https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ Artefacts https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact.html Single Loop Oval Buckle https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/buckles-and-buckle-plates/single-loop-buckles/single-loop-oval-buckle-59442.html Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:51:54 GMT Single loop buckles Single Loop Oval Buckle  
Description: A plain single loop oval buckle with a narrowed and offset strap bar and notched pin rest. The buckle is complete with a copper-alloy pin.
Category: Medieval, Buckles and buckle plates, Single loop buckles
Category: Single loop buckles
]]> S-Shaped Belt-Hook https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/buckles-belt-hooks-and-belt-clasps/belt-clasps-hooks-and-miscellaneous-items/s-shaped-belt-hook-59435.html Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:36:34 GMT Belt clasps, hooks and miscellaneous items S-Shaped Belt-Hook  
Description: A fully three-dimensional S-shaped belt-hook cast in the form of two swan-like heads conjoined at the base of the necks. The 'joint' has a decorative elliptical moulding on each side and a transverse band of ribbing across the centre.
Category: Post-Medieval to Modern, Buckles, belt hooks and belt clasps, Belt clasps, hooks and miscellaneous items
Category: Belt clasps, hooks and miscellaneous items
]]> Anthropomorphic Mount https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/mounts/anthropomorphic-mount-59433.html Mon, 19 Oct 2026 19:16:36 GMT Mounts Anthropomorphic Mount  
Description: A mount in the form of a crude anthropomorphic crowned male mask. There is a single rivet hole in the forehead, with surviving separate copper-alloy rivet.
Category: Medieval, Mounts
Category: Mounts
]]> Button https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/buttons-and-cuff-links/plain-buttons/button-59430.html Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:31:43 GMT Plain buttons Button  
Description: A cast one-piece copper-alloy button with integral as-cast shank; circular; solid; convex front; flat back; undecorated apart from a central pellet; short stem and circular-section loop.
Category: Post-Medieval to Modern, Buttons and cuff-links, Plain buttons
Category: Plain buttons
]]> Vessel Handle https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/lead-handles-for-tobacco-jar-lids-etc-/vessel-handle-59431.html Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:36:34 GMT Lead handles (for tobacco-jar lids, etc.) Vessel Handle  
Description: A cast lead vessel handle, moulded in the form of an eight-petalled flower with a boss at the centre. Although usually identified as handles from tobacco-jar lids - and some were certainly used in this way (see ref. below) - a number have been found with fragments of tin-plate/sheet-steel attached (or with iron corrosion products on the base). This is inconsistent with use on a tobacco jar, as these were invariably made of lead. It seems likely, therefore, that the handles were produced as stock items, which were fitted to the lids of a number of different types of domestic vessel.
Category: Post-Medieval to Modern, Lead handles (for tobacco-jar lids, etc.)
Category: Lead handles (for tobacco-jar lids, etc.)
]]> Strap-End https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/strap-ends/strap-end-59420.html Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:18:27 GMT Strap-ends Strap-End  
Description: An incomplete strap-end of composite three-piece construction, consisting of a cast spacer and two sheet plates. The cast spacer is probably forked and has a devolved animal-head terminal. The front plate is decorated with ten punched ring-and-dot motifs arranged in two rows of five. The back plate is plain. The attachment end is incomplete, and all surfaces are severely corroded, thus obscuring any surviving rivets.
Category: Medieval, Strap-ends
Category: Strap-ends
]]> La Tène III Brooch https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/iron-age/brooches/la-tene-iii-brooch-59419.html Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:47:04 GMT Brooches La Tène III Brooch  
Description:
An incomplete Late Iron Age brooch of La Tène III type. The bow is D-shaped in section, tapering at the foot end and terminating in a solid catchplate. Only a fraction of the integral bilateral spring pin survives.  It is unclear whether the notches on the bow are decorative or the result of damage. The La Tène III brooch is a derivative of the continental Nauheim type. It evolved on the continent around the beginning of the 1st century BC, and was brought to Britain by the Belgae.
Category: Iron Age, Brooches
Category: Brooches
]]> Clog Clasp https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/clasps/clog-clasps/clog-clasp-59416.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:53:38 GMT Clog clasps Clog Clasp  
Description: The female element of a stamped sheet-metal clog clasp. It is sub-rectangular, with three rectangular slots for adjusting clasp tension. The front has decoration consisting of stamped curlicues. The anchor lug is intact.
Category: Post-Medieval to Modern, Clasps, Clog clasps
Category: Clog clasps
]]> Sword Belt Fitting https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/mounts/sword-belt-and-scabbard-fittings/sword-belt-fitting-59417.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:57:28 GMT Sword-belt and scabbard fittings Sword Belt Fitting  
Description: A post-medieval sword-belt fitting: the looped element of a two-part clasp. The fitting comprises an openwork plate with cordate terminal and centre, and a sub-rectangular loop for connection to a separate corresponding fitting. There are possible traces of tinning or silvering to the surface.

Complete clasps of this type consist of one hooked and one looped element. For an example of a hooked element, see UKDFD 22266 and UKDFD 39147
 
Category: Post-Medieval to Modern, Mounts, Sword-belt and scabbard fittings
Category: Sword-belt and scabbard fittings
]]> Swivel https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/swivels/swivel-59409.html Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:20:45 GMT Swivels Swivel  
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.
 

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
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