Strap fastener

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This bronze strap fastener was found at the native hillfort site of Traprain Law in East Lothian. It was used, probably on harness equipment, sometime during the first two centuries AD.

The plain fastener is of a standard button-and-loop type. It was used with two straps: one strap fastened through the loop, and the button would fix through the eye in the second strap.

Leather on harnesses rarely survives, but the metal fittings and ornaments are often preserved. Some of the fittings, such as this one, resemble fasteners used on clothing, and were presumably used where decoration rather than strength was wanted.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-935-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 221
• Date: Between 0 and 200 AD
  
• Material: Bronze; oblong head, triangular loop
  Button and loop fastener
  
• Dimensions: 1.13" L
  
• What: Button and loop fastener
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Standard button-and-loop fastener of bronze, with an oblong head, from Traprain Law, East Lothian
  
• References:
  • Burley, Elizabeth. Metal-work from Traprain Law. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 89 (1955-1956), 118-226, esp. no. 221, p. 178. 
• Translations:
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