File:Clasp fragment (FindID 514814).jpg

English: Fragment of a gilt sheet copper alloy book clasp or hasp, sub-square and almost trapezoidal in plan with gilt incised decoration in form of an interlinked cross with a square at the centre, at right angles to the clasp. Within these plain bands are circular annulets filling in the square and triangular spaces. This does not appear to have been the terminal with the connecting hook or eye to hold the clasp or hasp to its pair, as it does not have any evidence for an extention to the wider edge. The rivet that would have held it to the book binding was probably just beyond where this fragment has been torn away from the rest of the mount. It could also be part of a mount for the corner of a book, but again would have at least one rivet hole in that case.

Read (1988) illustrates a book clasp with a similar decoration with annulets within triangular sections on page 79, No.465, which is dated from the 13th to the 17th century.

Egan & Pritchard (2002) illustrate mounts with similar decoration of transverse bands and punched annulets on pages 159 & 225, Figs.104 & 141, Nos.769 & 1215, which both date from the 14th century.

Ottaway & Rogers (2002) illustrate similar incised annulets in divided sections on a horse pendant on page 2964, Fig.1529, No.15245 which dates from the 13th century, and a square book plate with incised lines in the form of a cross on page 2937, Fig.1503, No.14640, which dates from the 15th century.