Metal Detector Find

Date 2005

Event ID 551154

Category Recording

Type Metal Detector Find

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/551154

NO 203 173 Metal detecting by Mr. J Laing (Carnoustie) in 2005 recovered a solid cast copper alloy loop element of a two-piece strapend or book clasp. The hinged double-sided plate element is missing. The plate would have been riveted to a leather strap-end, attached to the loop via the bar that survives intact on this example. The clasp measures 38 (l) x 30 (w) x 5.7mm (th); weight 16.46g. Such clasps were used to fasten leather straps on books. The central hole in the body of the clasp was for a rivet which would have secured the clasp to the cover of a book. Projecting at 90 degrees from the clasp is a small-animal headed hook, broken. This rather delicate hook element, clearly prone to snap, may have been used for attaching cords to provide purchase during the opening and closing of the book. A date range of 14th to 16th century is consistent with excavated examples of such clasps. Though known from predominantly ecclesiastical sites they also occur on secular sites. The findspot of this example suggests a probable association with the nearby monastic centre of Abernethy, active between the 7th and 16th centuries. A significant corpus of early medieval sculpture from Abernethy testifies to its importance in the late first millennium AD. The book clasp adds to the growing body of metalwork finds recovered from the vicinity of Abernethy and contributing to our understanding of the monastery and its immediate hinterland. These include an 8th- to 9th-century gilt mount, also from Wester Greenside, a 10th- to 12th-century zoomorphic penannular ring, a possible zoomorphic stylus terminal of 12th-to 13th-century date and several harness pendants. The clasp was declared Treasure Trove and allocated to Perth Museum and Art Gallery.

M Hall 2006