The Earl Shilton Gold sword pommel LEIC-62B043

This stunning object from Earl Shilton dates to the seventh century and was the first Anglo-Saxon sword pommel to be found with this ‘filigree’ interlace decoration. However, the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard in 2009 changed all that and now it is one of a small group of similar high status sword pommels, but this is still one of the best examples.

 

This item was not classed as Treasure when found, as the old laws of Treasure Trove applied. Objects had to have been proven to be

deliberately hidden for recovery later, so an item like this was considered to be probably a casual loss. If found today, with the new Treasure Act, it would be automatically considered Treasure given its age and material.

 

Purchased in 1995 the object can be seen at Charnwood Museum