File:42 mount drawing (FindID 64276).jpg

English: Swivel

     12th century.

     

     The figure is of a dog standing on all fours, the front legs are straight with no detail and have a square section.  The back legs are again straight but show detail of the thigh muscle by widening out towards the top.  They also widen out slightly at the base representing feet.  The hindquarters are slightly more elevated than the rest of the body.  The tail is thick where it is attached to the body but narrows for a quarter of its length, the remaining three quarters are of an even diameter, rounded section, half way down its length it is bent back on its self.  The main body is plain although there are three curved lines/ripples emanating from the head and running down the neck.  The head is turned to look over the right shoulder.  A rectangular slot with a rounded terminal represents an open mouth, the eyes are represented by a slight recess either side of the head.

     

     The animal is standing on a rectangular platform that has a lob with a narrow neck in the bottom centre.  

     

     The artefact is a brown colour, none of its original surface remains and is heavily corroded, although remains of gilt remains.  The lob at the bottom appears to be worn. 
     


     That artefact could be a swivel.  The lob is worn, but the inside section of the animal where a strap would have been held shows little or no signs of wear. 

 Perhaps more likely this object is could be a decorative mount/fixture on a piece of furniture.  Examples such as the Gloucester candle stick (early 12th century) with its prominent figures and animals exhibit close similarities.  However, all of the figures are cast with the main body of each section of the candlestick and are not separate fixtures such as this object.

Closer similarities can be drawn on with boxes and reliquaries that date to the 12th century to the mid 13th century and although on the whole these type of fixtures are represented by human figures or foliage, animals in the form of birds are represented, but very rarely.