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 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
]]> Key https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/keys-and-locks/key-59407.html Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:49:39 GMT Keys and locks Key  
Description: A large medieval copper-alloy key with incomplete (circular?) bow, circular-section stem with pipe-end and simple bit. The upper portion of the stem is decorated with multiple incised circumferential lines.

The form of the key is closely similar to that of much smaller casket keys of the same period, and it seems most likely that it was used for locking a larger chest.
Category: Medieval, Keys and locks
Category: Keys and locks
]]> Folding Knife Scale https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/knives-and-knife-end-stops/folding-knife-scale-59406.html Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:41:51 GMT Knives and knife end-stops Folding Knife Scale  
Description: A copper-alloy handle scale from a folding knife, possibly a pruning knife.
Category: Post-Medieval to Modern, Knives and knife end-stops
Category: Knives and knife end-stops
]]> Glass Centre-Boss Brooch https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/brooches/plate-brooches/glass-centre-boss-brooch-59401.html Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:27:51 GMT Plate brooches Glass Centre-Boss Brooch  
Description: A copper-alloy native British gilded centre-boss brooch of the Roman period. The brooch is formed from a flat oval plate with a raised outer rim and a central upstanding flange to accommodate the coloured, conical glass central boss. The surrounding heavily gilded flat-bottomed channel is decorated with a row of contiguous punched zig-zags. The rear of the brooch is tinned and retains both the sprung pin on a single lug and the catchplate. The conical glass boss is missing.
Category: Roman, Brooches, Plate brooches
Category: Plate brooches
]]> Headstud Brooch https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/brooches/bow-brooches/headstud-brooch-59400.html Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:24:41 GMT Bow brooches Headstud Brooch  
Description: A copper-alloy headstud brooch of the Roman period. It has short, vertically stepped wings with a tubular housing at the rear to accommodate the axis bar of the hinged pin. On top of the wings are the remains of an integrally cast chain loop. The bow is D-shaped in section, highly arched, and decorated with a circular moulded headstud; it terminates with a flat forward-facing foot. The headstud and the section of the bow beneath were probably enamelled, the colour of which is undetermined. The hinged pin and catchplate are missing.
 
Category: Roman, Brooches, Bow brooches
Category: Bow brooches
]]> Casket Key https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/keys-and-locks/casket-key-59398.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:37:37 GMT Keys and locks Casket Key  
Description: A medieval copper-alloy casket key with a circular bow, simple bit, and oval-section stem with pipe end. The key appears to have unfettled casting flash adhering to the bow and stem.
 
Category: Medieval, Keys and locks
Category: Keys and locks
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