File:Cast bronze strap-distributor dating to the Early-Medieval period. (FindID 272582).jpg

English: Cast bronze strap-distributor dating to the Early-Medieval period. It consists of a ring 25.03mm in diameter, with a three-spoked construction and a central circular setting containing a domed green glass setting 6.48mm in diameter. Each of the spokes terminates in a moulded animal head with pronounced hollowed-out ears and a moulded snout.

Attached to the ring are two zoomorphic clasps. Each clasp consists of a bar of metal bent in two around the ring, the lower half of which is flat while the upper half is moulded in the form of an animal head. The clasps have an oval moulded mouth with an incised groove. On the upper surface of the clasps are small incised eyes which are quite worn, and a ridge above which could be interpreted as eyebrows. A spiral decorates the upper surface of the clasp, behind which are two raised ears with depressions for the perforation of the ear. These ears are 3.89mm in length, and 2.10mm thick. Four incised lines run the length of the upper surface from the spiral to the broken end and four horizontal lines run off these.

One of the clasps has a copper-alloy rivet still attached, which measures 8.81mm in length and 1.63mm in thickness. The rivet of the other clasp is missing, but the clasp has been pressed together slightly to prevent it separating from the ring. The clasp with the rivet is 19.86mm in length, 7.24mm in width and 9.02mm thick. The reverse of the object is undecorated. It has a dark brownish green patina. It weighs 17.0g. It is likely that a buckle attached to the third spoke as can be seen from the Cronk Moar burial example on the Isle of Man. (Bersu G and Wilson D 1966, Three Viking Graves on the Isle of Man, Soc Med Arch Monograph Series I, 72-5 fig 43).

Spoked strap-distributors are common in Scandinavia during the Viking period. The glass in the centre of the object suggests that it can be linked with the Hiberno-Scandinavians as such decoration was common in Ireland. A much closer parallel is provided by a find from Vastergotland, Sweden (op. cit. Pl CVIIIc). It can be dated to the late 9th - early 10th century.