File:A medieval book clasp (FindID 519200).jpg

English: A medieval, copper alloy book clasp, dating from the fourteenth century. It consists of a rectangular, hollow box chape with an integral, ornately moulded projection at one end. The rectangular section is hollow and contains a separate, rectangular plate of sheet copper alloy, attached to the upper box section by two copper alloy rivets, one at each corner of the inner end of the rectangle; both rivets remain in place. There is some material remaining between the lower plate and upper box section, but whether this is decayed leather is uncertain. The box section is decorated with a rectangular cartouche formed by a narrow groove following the edges of the box. This contains a lombardic M and some small sections of cross hatching that may have formed part of a background. The integral projection is square, with a circular perforation on the underside to fit over a pin, and a slightly curved upper surface which is decorated with an engraved, central circle and four short lines, at 90 degree intervals around the circumference of the circle. On the left and right sides of the square is a rectangular section, the outer edge of which curves from both ends and rises to a central, transverse ridge. The leading edge of the square has a zoomorphic terminal, perhaps in the form of a stylized dragon's head, which terminates in a loop, aligned at right angles to the remainder of the clasp. Part of this loop has broken away and is missing. The junctions with the square and all four other elements of the clasp are decorated with a number of short lines. Traces of gilding remain on the upper surface of the clasp, it otherwise displays a smooth dark brown patina. It is 68.6mm long, 29.8mm wide and 9.1mm thick. It weighs 34.02gm.

This object is broadly similar to late-medieval book-clasps discussed in Egan, 1998, The Medieval Household" , pages 277-80, though Egan's examples are all hinged. Similar book clasps cast in one piece are recorded on the database; see for example references IOW-7D75B7, NMS-2D8BB6 and HAMP1901.