The Thwaite cross

Late 11th to 12th centuries AD
Found near Thwaite, Suffolk, England in 1999

This cross was found near Thwaite, Suffolk, in 1999. It is about 900 years old, and is engraved with an image of Christ on the Cross, with the hand of God above. It is made of silver and was originally gilded. The details of the design were picked out in niello.

The cross was originally part of a reliquary, but only the lid has survived. The complete object would have contained a religious relic - probably part of the 'True Cross', on which Christ was crucified. The cross has a suspension loop at the top, so it may have been worn around the neck. It may have belonged to an abbot or a nobleman.

Richard Hobbs, Treasure: Finding our past (London, The British Museum Press, 2003)

R. Bland (ed.), Treasure Annual Report 1998-9 (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2000)