File:Unidentified Object of Uncertain Roman to Medieval Date (FindID 533739).jpg

English: A cast copper-alloy composite object of uncertain attribution and probable Roman-Medieval date. The object consists of two connected elements, one of which is mostly made of a discoidal main plate with the remains of a small suspension loop at the top and a large suspension loop at the bottom; the second element is the moulded decoration of a fox head, which is connected to the central circular disc by means of a circular rivet penetrating a central hole. The first element has a pronounced circumferential recessed band, followed by a raised central circular plaque where the fox head is attached. The upper suspension loop only retains its lower half, which is sub-rectangular in plan, with the bottom half of a circular suspension hole running perpendicular to the main plate. The lower suspension loop is sub-cylindrical in shape, with an oval suspension hole running parallel to the main plate. The moulded zoomorphic decoration is highly detailed and stylised, with two widely-spaced triangular ears, an oval domed head and pointed oval snout; carefully-incised detail indicates fur at its forehead and around the edges of the face, ears and snout. Its eyes are almond-shaped with ring-and-dot centres. It has incised dots for nostrils at the end of its snout. The reverse face is undecorated and completely flat, including the reverse face of the sub-cylindrical lower suspension loop. It seems to have been fashioned to be highly decorative and yet sit completely flush to another object, which was flat. It measures 45.2 mm long, 29.2 mm in diameter at the main discoidal plate, 9 mm thick overall; the fox's face measures 17.4 mm long, 20.3 mm wide at ears, 5.3 mm approximate thickness; the lower suspension loop has an internal diameter of 4.7 mm. It weighs 23.1 grams.

Although a parallel for this object has yet to be identified, it bears some similarities with objects such as strap ends and book clasps of the Medieval period. Many objects decorated with fox heads during the Medieval and Post Medieval periods seem to have been associated with the hunt and were popular on everything from gaming pieces to decorative mounts.