File:Copper alloy medieval strap distributor (FindID 149809).jpg

English: Incomplete copper alloy swivel strap distributor, possibly from a dog's lead. This object is one swivelling link from the distributor. It is D shaped in plan. The curved part of the link is circular in section and has zoomorphic terminals. The straight side is formed from an integral flat six-sided plate. This plate has a circular piercing, through which a shaft on an opposing D shaped swivel would have passed. The zoomorphic terminals consist of two small round protruding ears and a flat area at the top of the head with incised decoration (possibly representing hair/fur). The head then curves downwards with heavy incised eyebrows, incised round eyes (mostly too worn to be visible) and a protruding round nose. The mouths of the animals are then joined integrally to opposing sides of the plate. The object is abraded with a brown patina on the external edges and a green patina on the inside. It is 30.6mm long, 27.3mm wide and weighs 18.75g. Similar swivels can be found in Read, B. 2001. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity, page 59, figure 38, refs. 483-484., and on this database. Read comments that it is not known with absolute certainty if these objects come from dog's leads. Based on this example, this object is dated to the 11th century, though it is likely such objects were used throughout the medieval period.