File:Early medieval square plaque (FindID 279187).jpg

English: Cast copper-alloy square plaque with gilding to the obverse. Within a square frame formed by border containing a series of parallel ridges running from inner to outer edges with open vesica shapes at each corner is a zone of low-relief interlace formed of two near-symmetrical opposed knots. The outermost edge of the mount is eaten away by corrosion but part of a plain outer edge survives at a few points. The reverse is pitted with corrosion but has a central rivet shank set on the flat back, the sides gradually tapering slightly to each outer edge. 19mm long; 18mm wide; 2mm thick, 3mm including rivet. It is difficult to parallel this piece although Dr Sue Youngs comments that the overall style suggests an eighth- to ninth-century date, and of Insular style, although not necessarily Irish. Wamers Insularer Metallschmuck illustrates some similar mounts, for instance a square example with a surrounding ridged border containing a field of interlace from Berg, Norway (Taf 5, Nr.3a; Kat. 130), and a mount from Lurøy, Norway with teardrop corners (Taf 5, Nr. 8; Kat. 10). Likewise, she points out the inner frame of a plaque from Inchbofin Island, Ireland, dating probably to the early ninth century, and the ribbed rectangular settings on the Bologna house reliquary found with similar interlace as the Fincham mount, dated to 800+AD (Youngs Work of Angels, Cat. Nos. 146 and 132). In conclusion, a late eighth or early ninth century date is suggested.