{"title":"Migration Era","description":"\u003cp\u003eKnives, seax and accessories based on archaeology of the Migration Era (450-800AD)\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"buttermarket-purse-6th-century","title":"Buttermarket Purse (6th century)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMy latest interpretation of a 6th Century purse, based on the copper-alloy fittings found at Buttermarket, held at Ipswich Museums, with a few additions!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plates, D section bars, and buckle are all finds from the same assemblage, the length of rivet shanks suggesting that the purse had a wood cored lid, which I have reproduced here in ash. To me this also suggested a box like construction, with side gusset, for the body, rather than a flat bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've made the piece from traditionally tanned calf skin, from Barrhead Leather, all hand sewn with linen thread, then waxed with animal fat, oil and beeswax mix. This Leather doesn't tool as easily as mass produced veg tan, so, instead I opted for cast Raptors, based on examples of 'shield mounts' held in the British Museum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey, and the buckle, are hand cast by me, in a tin bronze with additional zinc in small quantities, giving a much more golden hue to the final cast. Areas have then been tinned, in order to create a more affordable version of the gold and silver gilt that we see on the originals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the calf skin is around 2mm thick, it is also quite stretchy, which I've accounted for by sewing saddle stitched linen lines to the suspension loops and the straps for the buckle and strap end. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strap end differs from the Buttermarket find, opting instead for a design found on various pieces, including bronze scrapers from Buckland. It is constructed of two thin sheets of copper-alloy, brazed together, as we see on many originals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the motivation for these deviations is that, while exact reproductions of singular finds are valid, having 20 purses all the same is an inaccuracy in its own right. I have therefore tried to bring in some limited element of creativity, based on original artifacts, to create an interpretation that fits within the style and culture of the Early Anglo-Saxon period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat means this is a one of a kind piece, and is unlikely to be reproduced exactly ever again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt loops take a 22mm wide strap, which is coincidently the size strap on the belt I have in stock, which is available for £230, should you want.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53632711065932,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/FB_IMG_1760733304147.jpg?v=1760733791"},{"product_id":"buckland-belt","title":"Buckland Belt","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe tooled belt, with punched decorated folded strap section (after St Denis) and fittings based on Buckland findings. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53632870646092,"sku":null,"price":230.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/FB_IMG_1760734915876.jpg?v=1760737006"},{"product_id":"spear-head","title":"Spear Head","description":"\u003cp\u003eOverall length is 32cm and 4cm wide. At the waist it's 5mm thick, then 7mm at the widest point, and where it breaks into the point its 4mm, so quite a chunky blade. The internal diameter of the socket is 25mm, which seems to be where most originals sit, this being roughly 7th Century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53632989823308,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/FB_IMG_1760738466696.jpg?v=1760738635"},{"product_id":"spear-sheath-1","title":"Spear sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eMade from ash slats, steamed and moulded to shape, cover with lined, then leather, with each layer hide glued in place and traditionally tanned calf skin outer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese pieces didn't meet my exacting standards for a commission, as one of the integrated leather thongs snapped, which also means the other might snap if treat to roughly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56011195711820,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_5f21d164-e777-4a49-8f8e-c2c8daee45ae.jpg?v=1763754067"},{"product_id":"anglo-saxon-chatelaine","title":"Anglo-Saxon Chatelaine","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn early Anglo-Saxon Chatelaine, perfect for the woman of the house!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach piece is individually hand forged from larger stock, with bronze wire decoration, giving it unique hand made feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is made up of a main loop, attached to the belt, probably by a nice piece of tablet woven braid; a short chain, from which a knife is usually suspended; and a longer chain which are usually found with 2 or 3 latchlifters (which I also have available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMain loop: £25\u003cbr\u003eShort (knife) chain: £40\u003cbr\u003eLong (latchlifter) chain: £70\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56011505664332,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_f7458787-5695-4a69-8746-de71dd5885fe.jpg?v=1763756630"},{"product_id":"migration-era-feasting-knife","title":"Migration Era feasting knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 7th century eating knife and sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is wrought-iron with a high carbon steel edge forge welded in place, set into a rather nicely grained Alder wood handle. As with many knives from this period, the handle overlaps a significant portion of the blade, which is held in place with an historical cutler's resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 78mm exposed.\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 20mm\u003cbr\u003eThickness: 6.5mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe veg tan sheath is hand tooled, using details from various knife sheaths of the period and is finished with brass rivets and bronze plates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57073872961868,"sku":null,"price":255.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_a1aba4a2-0c90-4779-bcfc-c1b0b45418c4.jpg?v=1774432147"},{"product_id":"6-7th-century-box-purse","title":"6\/7th Century Box Purse","description":"\u003cp\u003eA speculative 6\/7th century style box purse!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've used the Sutton Hoo and Ipswich purse fittings for the inspiration for the shape, with an Ash wood lined lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cord work around the edge is made over twisted animal gutt, and I've used the peltoid, hippocrampi from one the Nydam sword scabbards for the basis of the foundation mouldings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's made from a variety of thicknesses of cow and goat hide, veg tan leather, depending on what properties needed for the pattern piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57251643294028,"sku":null,"price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_98d06b19-c4f6-4f42-985f-42dc3db17106.jpg?v=1776001874"},{"product_id":"warriors-narrow-seax","title":"Warrior's Narrow Seax","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Warrior's Narrow Seax, of the 6th to 7th Century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is had forged high carbon steel, with three, ground fullers on each face, and is based on a archaeological find from the Lakenheath cemetery, Suffolk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt fittings are cast copper-alloy, tinned to cost effectively represent the silver originals from Oliver's Battery, Winchester.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cattle horn and bone grip are inspired by various sword grips from the Migration Era, and are snuggly fitted to the peened through tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 374mm (37.4cm)\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 34mm (3.4cm)\u003cbr\u003eThickness: 5.6mm\u003cbr\u003eGrip length: 104mm (10.4cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheath is 'vellum' lined veg tan, based on the shape and layout of various sheath from Continental Europe, though the fittings on some East Anglian sheaths suggest a similar shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vellum lining is hide glued to the leather outer, creating a strong, yet slim form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than create *another* exact copy of these sheaths I decided to use Sutton Hoo as inspiration for the tooled designs. Some elements are copied directly from various pieces, while others are modifications from the Sutton Hoo purse lid; adapting them to create something that fit within the space and to the limitations of leather tooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fittings are based on a seax from Ausberg, substituting the original silver mounts for less expensive tin alloy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are 86 studs in total. 24 large studs, 4 of which and the suspension brackets are cast copper-alloy and tinned. These provide the strength needed for the suspension, with the leather bindings taken from suspension brackets from St Denis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are 62 smaller studs, many individually adapted to fit the spaces between the larger studs, and all are hand riveted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim with this seax and sheath was to create a piece that demonstrated the various skills I've developed over the last few years, as every element has been hand made by me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's very rare to find such extravagant pieces 'off the shelf', so, this is a real opportunity for someone to grab a truely unique piece; without the lengthy waiting lists that normally go with commissioning this type of work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57251752608076,"sku":null,"price":1200.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_bd2cd419-fbfb-429f-8bc0-e9c8842f0145.jpg?v=1776002495"},{"product_id":"7th-century-box-purse","title":"7th Century Box Purse","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hand sewn, foundation moulded Box Purse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle leatherwork survives from the 7th century, so, we must look to metal fittings to help guide the shape and form. The overall shape of this piece is inspired by the Sutton Hoo purse lid and copper-alloy pieces found in near by Ipswich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rivets from the Ipswich fittings are of a length that suggests that the were attached to a wooden lid. This purse therefore has a wooden core to the lid, with leather sewn around it, and over leather foundations which allow for the raised sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raised, shield shaped, sections are then hand tooled with decoration taken from a brooch found at Gotland, Sweden, depicting stylised serpents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bag itself is hand sewn, using various thicknesses of leather, skived along the seams, and with a split thong stitch to secure the lid to the main bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's then hand dyed to match colours seen in traditional bark tanned leather, and finished with my own blend of beeswax, goose tallow and Neatsfoot oil, giving an authentic waterproof finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57392772022604,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_1e78a4bf-535b-4620-8bc5-51d1137f2c0c.jpg?v=1777284920"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/collections\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_b2d9671e-1763-4c17-b676-a4c201ae7b36.jpg?v=1776271268","url":"https:\/\/krokathurston.myshopify.com\/collections\/early-anglo-saxon.oembed","provider":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}