Details

IPSMG:R.2007.28.4

Ipswich Collections

phalera, disc, bronze and silver disc / phalera from horse harness

Piece of the Holbrook Horse Harness - Round bronze phalera (disc), covered with a thin layer of silver and delicately decorated with curling vine leaves. The central section of the disc is indented, and ringed with 2 slightly raised bands. The middle of the disc is decorated with 6 small engraved lines, which splay outwards from a hole in the centre (which was once covered by a small dome.) There are 3 complete metal loops on the reverse of the disc. There was at least 1 other loop on the reverse which is now broken. There are 3 harness fixings attached to the remaining loops, and 1 large decorative piece of metalwork. This piece of metal is roughly heart shaped, and has 4 cut-out sections. Like the round disc, it is engraved with delicate leaves, thin curved lines and dots. The harness fixings take the form of narrow strips of metal, folded in half with a small bolt through the centre from one side to the other.

1960

1st Century

bronze, silver