disc
- Museum number
- 2002,0902.1
- Description
-
Gold disc, now bent and distorted, with an empty, rectangular, collared setting at its centre, surrounded by four small, round settings, each of which contains a semi-opaque greyish glass cabochon, perhaps intended to imitate pearls. Each collared setting is encircled with beaded wire, as is the outer edge of the disc; the latter now torn in one place. The front of the disc is further decorated with foliate filigree, while the back is plain.
- Production date
-
10thC(late) (possibly)
-
11thC(early) (possibly)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 2.20 centimetres (max, excl. torn off strip)
-
Height: 0.70 centimetres (max)
-
Weight: 2.20 grammes
- Curator's comments
- X-ray fluorescence gave a result of approximately 80% gold.
The function of the disc is uncertain, but most likely, it was a setting from a brooch. The distinctive type of edge-on filigree wire and the stylised foliate ornament both point to a date in the late 10th or early 11th century.
Filigree-enriched round brooches, sometimes set with gems and/or enamel, were produced in both Anglo-Saxon England and Ottonian Germany during the late 10th and first half of the 11th centuries; they are rarer in Anglo-Saxon contexts, but this is as likely to be an accident of survival as a reflection of reality.
(LW, 30/07/2002)
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 2002
- Acquisition notes
- Metal detector find
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 2002,0902.1
- Additional IDs
-
Treasure/PAS number: 2001T362 (Treasure number)
