Moulds and a strap fastener

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These two clay moulds and bronze strap fastener, similar to that which would have been produced by the moulds, were found at the native hillfort site of Traprain Law in East Lothian. They were used sometime between 0 and 200 AD.

Both moulds produced strap fasteners similar to that pictured: a fastener with a square head and triangular loop for attaching a leather strap. One of the moulds, pictured lying on its side, is unused, while the other, now in two halves, is cracked.

The large, defended hillfort at Traprain Law was an important site in Iron Age Scotland. Excavations have uncovered extensive evidence of metalworking on the site. Craftsmen produced a range of functional and decorative items.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-084-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 557
• Date: Between 0 and 200 AD
  
• Material: Bronze; flat square head; triangular loop; head bearing incised line round edge
  Clay, baked; ovoid; orifice at one end; probably for a square-headed dress fastener
  Two halves; ovoid; for casting dress fasteners with a square plate and triangular loop
  Button and loop fastener
  Mould
  Mould / portion
  
• Dimensions: 1.31" L
  50 mm L x 32 mm thick
  
• What: Button and loop fastener
  Mould
  Mould / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Standard button-and-loop fastener of bronze, with a flat square head, from Traprain Law, East Lothian
  Ovoid mould of baked clay with an orifice at one end, probably a mould for a square-headed dress fastener, from Traprain Law
  Two halves of an ovoid mould for casting dress fasteners, from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • Burley, Elizabeth. Metal-work from Traprain Law. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 89 (1955-1956), 118-226, nos. 216, 556, 557. 
• Translations:
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