MEDIEVAL

Copper-alloy Limoges-style book fitting or book clasp of Medieval date (c.1150-1300 AD). It is incomplete, comprising of a central rectangular enamelled plate with a pierced decorative sub-rectangular projecting knop. The opposite edge of the plate is broken with two abraded projections, presumably the remnant of a broken hinge. The plate is sub-rectangular in cross-section, with slightly bevelled edges.The fitting measures 21.1mm length, 25.4mm width, is 4.3mm thick and weighs 7.03g.The upper face of the central plate is decorated with intricate and well-preserved enamelling around a central 3mm diameter hole which probably fitted over a peg on the opposite cover of the book. The enamel design consists of four sub-oval shapes, probably petals, positioned diagonally to form an irregular saltire cross around the central hole. This hole would probably have fitted onto a peg on the book's opposite cover. The petals are decorated with green enamel and veins on the leaves are depicted using a yellow substance, either enamel or possibly gilding. Positioned between these petals and also around the central hole, is a lozenge decorated with four separate enamel colours in concentric bands