Strap fastener

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

The strap fastener is a 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. A spot of blue enamel has been used to fill in the centre of the flattened boss.

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: 000-100-039-938-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 231
• Date: Between 0 and 200 AD
  
• Material: Bronze, enamel; oval; flattened hemispherical boss with spot of bright blue enamel in centre
  Fastener
  
• Dimensions: 42 mm L
  
• What: Fastener
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Standard button-and-loop fastener of bronze with flattened hemispherical boss with spot of bright blue enamel in centre, from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • MacGregor, Morna. Early Celtic art in North Britain. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1976, vol. 1, pp. 131-2. 
• Translations:
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