This copper alloy dress fitting, likely from the late 14th or 15th century, is a remarkable find. It consists of a solid folded sheet that has been gilded and adorned with intricate decorative elements. The presence of a small hole in the center of the fold indicates that it was a buckle rather than the end of a strap, and traces of leather have been preserved inside the plate.
The upper edge of the fitting features decorative details, including dots at the top and bottom, connected by a row of convex cable ornaments at the end of the fold. The opposite end has a notch, which is important because it houses iron rivets securing the leather inside the plate. This end is marked by a convex arch. The field of the plate is embellished with decorative hatching within the ridges.
This artifact provides insight into a period when such elaborately decorated objects were more accessible to a wider range of people, as they began to be produced in larger quantities and therefore became more affordable. The surface of the plate was originally gilded to mimic the appearance of pure gold, adding to its ornate and luxurious design. It was discovered during excavations conducted in the 1970s by the Archaeology Section of the Winchester Museum Service at Victoria Road, Winchester, Hampshire.