Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: LVPL-68E714
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Treasure case 2021 T760
Description: A complete gold disc pendant with filigree decoration, dating to the Early Medieval period. The pendant is formed of a flat circular sheet of gold with a ribbed suspension loop affixed to one edge. The loop is formed of a sub-rectangular ribbed strip of gold rolled over from the front of the sheet to the reverse. A plain wire loop is secured along the edge and the reverse of the suspension loop.
The face of the pendant is decorated with a central circular cell which is filled with a red stone, presumably a garnet. It is surrounded by an undecorated strip of sheet gold which is then bordered by a ring of filigree. The rest of the face is equally divided by plaited bands into eight segments. Within each segment a crescent made of a twisted filigree protrudes from the pendant border. An almost circular loop straddles the segment line positioned at the suspension loop. The outer edge of the pendant is also decorated is bordered by a filigree wire. The reverse is plain and undecorated.
Dimensions: Length 23.1mm, width 21.3mm, thickness 0.7mm, weight 2.2g.
Discussion: This pendant fits well into a range of early medieval gold disc pendants with filigree decoration, many based around cruciform motifs. Their decoration ranges from very simple to very complex incorporating multiple gem settings. They have been categorised by Hines and Bayliss (2013) as Type PE1, ‘Composite Au/Ag pendant, with filigree and semi-precious stones' (p. 211, fig. 5.516). Such pendants have been excavated from early seventh century burials, e.g. at the British Museum, examples from Milton Regis (1926,0410.2, 1926,0410.1, 1921,1020.1) and King's Field, Faversham, Kent (reg. no. 1884,1221.6; .1137.’70). A growing number of stray finds have also been found in recent years, and are recorded on the PAS database. Examples from Yorkshire include 2019 T784 (YORYM-7AB971) from Skirpenbeck, East Riding and 2020 T192 (YORYM-E99B18) from Garton, East Riding.
These pendants can be dated to the seventh century, with the latest date being provided by their inclusion in grave 93 at Boss Hall, Suffolk which also contained a late seventh-century Series B sceatta (Geake 1997: 38; Webster and Backhouse 1991, no. 33).
Notes:
Conclusion:
As the object likely contains at least 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old, it meets the criteria for Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996.
References:
Geake, H. (1997) The Use of Grave Goods in Conversion Period England AD 600–850. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports.
Hines, J. and Bayliss, A. (2013) Anglo-Saxon Graves and Grave Goods of the 6th and 7th Centuries AD: A Chronological Framework. London: The Society for Medieval Archaeology. The Society for Early Medieval Archaeology Monograph 33.
Webster, L. and Backhouse, J. (eds.), (1991) The Making of England. London: British Museum Press.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2021T760
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 600
Date to: Circa AD 700
Quantity: 1
Length: 23.1 mm
Width: 21.3 mm
Thickness: 0.7 mm
Weight: 2.2 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 19th September 2021
This information is restricted for your access level.
Treasure case number: 2021T760
Primary material: Gold
Secondary material: Gem
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.