File:Early Medieval Strap end (FindID 1010495).jpg

English: A near complete Early Medieval copper alloy strap end of Thomas Class E, Type 1 (Winchester Style) dating to the period c. AD 1000 - 1100.

The artefact comprises an openwork tongue shaped plate with an incomplete rectangular attachment plate immediately above. The attachment plate ihas a medium sized rectangular chip in one corner. The opposite corner has the remains of one circular rivet hole - the rivet no longer being in situ. A second hole was likely placed on the broken opposite corner.

The plate is composed of Winchester style openwork decoration in the form of a series of symmetrical fronds, emanating from a central stem which twist along the edges of the plate and end in inward curving lobed terminals. At the top of the central stem, just below the attachment plate, is a circular incised border with a small circular cell within. This is placed on both sides of the strap end.  This style of decoration derives from the "inhabited plant-scroll" motif seen in contemporary illuminated manuscripts.  The strap end is a dark green sometimes dark brown colour.

The strap end is c.47mm long, c.27mm wide and weighs 17.2 grams.

A similar example is illustrated in (Thomas 2004: 3, No.22), while further examples are recorded on the PAS database including SOM-F33A5F, IOW-09D1C3 and BERK-8A8210. A similar example is illustrated in (Griffiths et al 2007; 64 no 334) where it was noted the design owes something to the Ringerike art style of the 10th and 11th century.