File:Book clasp of medieval date (FindID 404046).jpg

English: Cast copper alloy book clasp or book fitting of later medieval date (1350-1500). The book clasp is incomplete being broken at one edge; this break has removed the element of the mount that fixed it to the leather strap of the binding. The claps is broadly sub-triangular in shape with a rectangular hinge / strap plate, perforated oval boss at the midpoint, and tapering triangular zoomorphic terminal. In profile the clasp varies in thickness. The broken edge of the clasp indicates an openwork section with two copper alloy projections (now lost) at either edge. A transverse bar separates the strap plate with the boss. The boss is undecorated; it has a central cast perforation. This would have secured the book in a closed position. The diameter of the hole is 3.8mm. The edge of the boss tapers into the animal head terminal. Although this element tapers in width it expands in thickness. The design is probably that of a hunting dog / hound with cast ears swept backwards and mouth - snout raised. There is a pierced transverse circular hole in the mouth / jaws; this hole has been drilled as the profile is distinctly egg-timer shaped (diameter 2.5mm) and is broken across the lower edge. The book claps is a mid green brown colour with a abraded patina that covers all surfaces. Light green active corrosion affects the exterior surfaces. Similar examples of book clasps can be seen in Egan (1998) fig.214. Egan dates these to the late-14th and early 15th century. Egan notes that those claps with animal heads date stylistically to the later part of his date range.

The book clasp measures 38.7mm length, is a maximum of 19.8mm wide and maximum of 6.5mm thick. It weighs 10.7 grams.