Casgliadau Arlein

Roman copper alloy harness fitting: terret of 1st or 2nd century AD date The cast terret is of strap-mounted type and is complete (with an overall length of 53.2mm, a maximum width of 52.8mm, maximum internal dimensions of 37.4mm x 16mm and a weight of 53.0g). The basal loop is integral and sub-rectangular (21.5mm wide and 8.5mm deep with internal dimensions of 13.4mm x 4.2mm) and with a sub-rectangular to oval sectioned frame (5.5mm wide and 4mm thick). Above the loop there is an oval moulding (7.5mm long and 12.6mm wide) with a convex upper edge (7.4mm deep). Above the moulding, the hoop is flat and rectangular-sectioned but somewhat irregular in width and thickness (with a thickness of 2.7mm – 5.9mm). The hoop is widest at its base (at 10mm) and gradually narrows towards its apex (to 5.5mm). On the interior of the hoop are decorative opposing ‘C’ scrolls with a bifurcating tope edge. No applied decoration is evident on the terret. Areas of wear are discernible on the inside of the hoop, particularly to one side of the apex. The surface has a dark-green patina with some finishing striations evident beneath the patina.

The terret is comparatively elaborate compared to many recovered examples of strap-mounted terrets, which tend to have few decorative features and is difficult to closely parallel.