File:Late early-medieval cheekpiece (bridle bit) (FindID 814699).jpg

English: A fragment from a copper-alloy late early-medieval bridle cheekpiece (c. 11th century). The object is broken around the hole through which the mouth piece link would have travelled. The object is zoomorphic, in the form of a beast with a neck which begins below this hole and curves round on itself. The other half of the plate was presumably formed of a symmetrical neck and head.

On the lower curve of the neck is a projecting knop with a central hole with two holes on either side above it, on the plate. At the head is a double lobed crest, the lobes separated by two piercings arranged in a line. Beyond this is a small projection at the top, also pierced, which is possibly an ear, with another piercing beyond, possibly an eye. Beyond this gaping jaws are delineated by engraving on the front; a small projection above may be a lip lappet. In the centre of the object, within the head and neck, is a kidney-shaped hole. There are lines incised around the central hole in different shapes. The reverse of the object is undecorated.

The fragment measures 53.14 by 34.23 mm and is 4.78 mm. It weighs 28.67 g.

The decoration is in the Ringerike style and the fragment can be classified as being from a cheekpiece of Williams (2007, 2-3) Type 1. The openwork produced by the piercings is highly unusual for such objects and, as such, this piece has been marked as a Find of Note.