buckle (方形鉸具); strap-union; horse-harness

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buckle(方形鉸具); strap-union; horse-harness

Object Type: buckle (方形鉸具); strap-union; horse-harness
Museum number: OA+.3007.5
Description: Square buckle, used to connect the straps of a horse-harness; made of gilt copper.
Cultures/periods
Production date: 6thC
Production place: Made in: Japan
Excavator/field collector
Materials: copper; gold
Technique
Curator's comments: Smith et al 1990 The origins of the skill of the Japanese in decorative metalwork, so noticeable in the sword-fittings of later periods, go back to work of this sort from the Kofun period. It is known from 'haniwa' models that such pieces were attached by leather or textile strapping, OA + 1250 and 1253 were excavated by William Gowland from different tombs.
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1889 (15 April)
Department: Asia
Registration number: OA+.3007.5