Rights Holder: Roger Thomas
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
PENDANT
Unique ID: PUBLIC-C40632
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Lead pendant, possibly in the form of a Thor's hammer. It measures 17.9mm high by up to 17.8mm wide and is 3.5mm thick. There is transverse flexion cracking and an old break at the upper end of the 'handle' so the means of suspension can no longer be determined. The head is convex at the bottom, and the handle has straight sides which taper toward the break.
The object has a thick white patina.
My thanks to Professor Julian D Richards for confirming the identification.
Dr Kevin Leahy has commented that this is 'an interesting find but I have to say that I'm not convinced that [this] is a Thor's hammer. The absence of a suspension loop does not help as this would be our best evidence for it being a pendant. Ideally I'd like to see some parallels quoted - if Julian can come up with some other lead hammers with this configuration, that would be fine but I'd tend to be cautious otherwise a speculation becomes 'fact'.'
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: With finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to Landowner
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Viking style
Date from: Circa AD 873
Date to: Circa AD 950
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 17.9 mm
Width: 17.8 mm
Thickness: 3.5 mm
Weight: 4.95 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 5th April 2021 - Monday 5th April 2021
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Leicestershire (County)
District: North West Leicestershire (District)
To be known as: Heather
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: WILT-22FCBA
Object type: PENDANT
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
A complete Early medieval Thor's hammer silver pendant with gold insets, dating to late 9th-10th century AD. The pendant is an e…
Workflow: Published
Find number: NMS-35FDF0
Object type: PENDANT
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Treasure report from Dr. A. Rogerson: Silver Thor's hammer pendant, suspension loop missing and "handle" slightly bent. There is no decoratio…
Workflow: Published
Find number: HESH-66049B
Object type: PENDANT
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
A cast lead alloy triangular pendant / miniature axe / axe pendant of probable Early Medieval (AD 750-1100) or possible Roman (AD 50-350) . T…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618