Fantastic beasts on medieval strap end
A silver gilt strap end decorated with fantastic beasts on either side has been discovered in Hampshire, England. Dating to the fourteenth century, it is one of 45,581 archaeological finds recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) in 2021.
On one side is depicted a birdlike animal with a long neck and a human face, with the other side showing a doglike animal. Such objects would have adorned the ends of medieval belts (protecting the leather or textile strap), but this one is particularly special since it is ornately decorated, perhaps belonging to someone of some status, such as a merchant.
The item was found by Barry Cole while metal-detecting. The Hampshire Cultural Trust hopes to acquire the strap end so that it
