File:Medieval lyre shaped strap end (FindID 625178).jpg

English: An incomplete late Medieval ( AD 1375-1425) copper-alloy openwork 'Lyre' shaped strap-end, missing its attachment fitting. At the top is an old break, from which would have extended a box shaped chape for the attachment of the strap. from this straight top a lyre shaped frame is suspended. The lyre has concave curved sides widening to rounded outer corners which continue into two lobes flanking a concave centre on the lower edge.

Down the centre of the lyre shaped frame is a seated female figure, draped and holding a transverse pole, possibly a martyrs palm. The outlines of the figure are cast in 3D but the details are emphasised with deep V-sectioned carving. The figure runs the entire length of the frame and is joined at the centre of the top and bottom. The lower side of the lyre shaped frame is also deeply incised with three diagonal parallel lines running away from the figures feet towards the lower edge of the lobes.

To each side of the lyre shaped frame integral openwork foliate decoration of cuved and curled tendrils extends from the outer corners of the straight top edge to about half way down the sides. The tendrils on the right are broken with worn breaks and incomplete compared to those on the left. From the base of the frame extends a tree or leaf shaped terminal. This terminal has a v-shaped base the rounded ends of which are attached to the lowest points of the lobes on the base of the lyre-shaped frame. This v-shape has four holes drilled through it. From the point of the V entends a vertical branch with many sub-branches entending out to either side. The branches are of varying length but give a broadly tri-lobed shape. Again the broad shape is cast but details have been emphasised by incised lines.

The back is flat and plain. There are traces of gilding on the front and back. It is now 64.9mm long, 36.7mm wide, 2.7mmm thick and weighs 16.18 grams.

Fingerlin (1971:165) illustrates two seemingly identical examples, although complete with the strap attachment box at the top, figs. 274 and 275, catalogue numbers 62 and 282. She suggests this form dates from AD 1375-1425 (ibid:218). Ward Perkins (1940:268-270) illustrates a similar example, A2625, Fig 85 no.1, with an identical seeming frame but St Christopher down the centre rather than a female figure, which he dates to c. 1390-1410.