MEDIEVALNES HARS PENDANT

A cast copper alloy harness pendant dating to the fourteenth century AD. The pendant comprises a flat, quatrefoil plate. The upper surface of the plate is decorated with a heraldic motif comprising a shield, surrounded by three palm fronds. On the shield, in incised decoration is a crudely depicted double headed eagle. Remnants of red enamel survive in the beaks of the eagle. The double headed eagle was a motif originally intended to represent imperial control over the eastern and western Roman Empire and was adopted by the Seljuk Turks. The palms also have eastern Mediterranean connotations. The arms are that of Sir John Bluet of Hampshire and were first displayed at the Dunstable tournament of 1308. The underside of the plate is plain. From one end of the plate, there extends a circular attachment loop with worn perforation indicating significant use. The pendant measures 42mm in length, 37mm in width.