Rights Holder: Derby Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: LEIC-80B505
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete, but slightly damaged, gold hemispherical bulla pendant. It is formed from two plain gold sheets, one shaped into a hollow dome and the other a flat disc comprising the back-plate. At the top is a grooved suspension loop. The back-plate is has sustained some damage and is torn in several places.
Height: 18.21 mm
Width: 14.85 mm
Weight: 2.71 g
Discussion: Sheet metal bullae pendants were worn on necklaces in combination with other beads or pendants during the seventh century. The most sumptuous example to survive from the period is the necklace from Desborough, Northamptonshire (British Museum, 1876,0504.1). Several similar bulla pendants are recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, including KENT-C7854D (2018 T835) from Elham, Kent and NMS-5C65E9 (2017 T658) from Sisland, Norfolk, amongst others.
According to Haworth (2018): ‘The hemispherical type is the most common form of bulla pendant, they have a wide distribution throughout England. The majority are silver, although small numbers of gold and a few copper-alloy examples exist. Bulla pendants were introduced to England in the seventh century as part of the wider imitation of Late Antique jewellery styles.’
Conclusion:
The object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. Consequently, in terms of both age and precious metal content, it is likely to qualify as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Reference:
Haworth, K. 2018. A 7th-Century Necklace from Hardingstone, Northamptonshire, England. Medieval Archaeology 62:2, pp. 237–61
Current location of find: Leicestershire Museums Service
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2021T926
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: 12 mm
Width: 11 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 0.92 g
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 16th November 2021 - Tuesday 16th November 2021
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Other reference: 3050
Treasure case number: 2021T926
Museum accession number: X.A153.2022.0.0
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.