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The king's gold belt buckle
The warrior buried in his ship
Snakes on the belt buckle
Length: 13.200 cm
Width: 5.600 cm
Gift of Mrs E.M. Pretty
M&ME 1939,10-10,1
Room 41: Europe AD 300-1100
Sutton Hoo
Belt buckle
Most Anglo-Saxon men wore a belt fastened with a buckle round their waist, but none of them had one this magnificent. It is made of gold, and is very heavy. It opens and closes on a hinge, which is carefully hidden and is locked in a very complicated way.
You have probably already noticed that the Anglo-Saxons liked to use animals as decoration. They also liked interweaving patterns. This buckle is decorated with a pattern of interwoven snakes. Use the picture below to see some of these more clearly.