Casgliadau Arlein

Silver strap end with incised zoomorphic design, set against a niello background.The strap end has convex sides and a plain border. The split attachments end has two circular rivet holes (filled with soil), below which is a vegetal 'vine-scroll' motif with curving stem held in the jaws of a quadruped. A further 'vine leaf' projects below the beast's tail. The main centrally placed animal has a large head in profile with a round eye and central dot for the pupil, open jaws with teeth, fore leg and hind-leg pointing forward. The bdsy has pairs of incised lines, filled with niello, on the neck, lower thorax and rear thighs, possibly to denote fur/hair. The tail curls under the foreleg, to turn behind the body. The strap end terminates in a small, short stylised animal head with pointed cat-like ears and eyes with central dots to represent pupils. The back is plain. The strap end reflects an abstract aspect of Trewhiddle style of Anglo-Saxon ornamental metalwork of the second half of the ninth century. The surfaces show evidence of wear and scratching.