File:Early medieval zoomorphic strapend (FindID 178870).jpg

English: An Early Medieval zoomorphic (animal head) copper alloy strap end terminal, of Thomas's Class A (see FRG datasheet 32).It is sub-rectangular in profile, with slightly convex edges. It is flattened in section, and decorated with two eyes on the top of the head, each featuring a central dot surrounded by an irregular crescentic linear depression. The decorated obverse surface has been broken, so that the proximal area of the strapend (away from the snout) is now missing, and ornament style cannot be determined. At the terminal's attachment there are 2 small circular holes. The reverse is plain, and the object has an even pale green patina on all surfaces. It measures 18.6mm long, 8.9mm wide, is 2.5mm thick and weighs 1.7g. Thomas's class A strapends have a split end, convex-sided/tapering plates, zoomorphic terminals, and an average length:width ratio of 1:3.5. This example has a slightly lower ratio (c. 1:2.5),but its other characteristics clearly fit the type, and it is within an acceptable range. As part of the decorated surface has been lost, it is impossible to classify this strapend to a type within class A, as this depends upon style of ornament. Based on art historical parallels and finds from excavated contexts, most class A strapends date to the 9th century, with a probable origin in the 8th, and persisting into the 10th C in some regions of the country.