Strap fastener

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.

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Online ID:	000-100-039-936-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.GVM 224
Date:	Between 0 and 200 AD
Material:	Bronze; circular loop, head of boss & petal type
Dimensions:	1.5" L
What:	Button and loop fastener
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
Event:
Description:	Standard button-and-loop fastener of bronze, with a head of boss and petal type, 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. 224, p. 178.
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