plaque
- Museum number
- 1975,1002.15
- Description
-
Narrow triangular silver plaque, presumably broken, with central rib and lines in a leaf or feather-pattern. A hole, c. 3 mm. in diameter, has been pierced from the back.
- Dimensions
-
Length: 77 millimetres
-
Width: 45 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- Votive silver plaques
The silver plaques belong to the same tradition as the pagan examples from Barkway, Stony Stratford and Ashwell, shown in cases 19 and 20 (Pagan Religions). However, these inscribed examples from Water Newton are clearly Christian. Several have the chi-rho monogram and alpha and omega. In many cases individual letters are reversed or misunderstood, and we may infer that the craftsman was not familiar with the Greek alphabet. One has a longer inscription, recording that 'Amcilla has fulfilled the vow which she promised’.
It is likely that the plaques were pinned up somewhere in the church, or placed on the altar, giving thanks to God. This practice continues in many orthodox Christian countries, where icons are surrounded by metal votive plaques. However, these days they are usually made of base metal rather than of gold or silver.
P&E 1975 10-2 10-27
- Location
- On display (G49/dc18)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2006 31 Mar-29 Oct, York, Yorkshire Museum, Constantine
1996 30 Mar-13 Nov, Italy, Rimini, Sala dell’Arengo, Dalla Terra Alle Genti
1989 23 Jun-31 Aug, Durham, Durham Cathedral Treasury, The Anglo-Saxon Connection
- Acquisition date
- 1975
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1975,1002.15