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SCABBARD
Unique ID: CAMHER-9583E3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
CURATOR'S REPORT
Anglo-Saxon silver, parcel gilt, pyramidal mount, presumably from a sword scabbard.
Description of find
Each side of the pyramid is decorated with two chip-carved standing triangles, with a small, hanging one, in between them. The ridges separating them are decorated with incised lines and the triangles themselves are gilt. A rectangular, deep cell in the apex of the pyramid still contains traces of a white matter, but is otherwise empty; originally, it would have contained a setting, perhaps a garnet. The pyramid is hollow and has a transverse bar for attachment across the back. It dates to the late 6th - 7th century.
Discussion
Sword pyramids are small fittings used to fixate a strap holding a sword scabbard to the belt. They are now relatively common finds, some 11 having been published in Treasure Annual Reports between 1998 and 2004, as they were apparently very prone to loss. The present piece is particularly close in appearance and others from Flixton, North Yorks. (TAR 2002, no. 67), which was also niello-inlaid and gilt around the lower edge; and Headbourne Worthy, Hants. (TAR 2003, no. 116), with further close parallels known from Kent, Suffolk and East Yorkshire (TAR 2003, p. 85).
A recent find from the North Hertforshire area (2007 T25) is similar too, but only imitates niello inlay by way of engraved lines. They are also wide-spread on the Continent, usually made from silver or copper alloy (W. Menghin, Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter (Stuttgart 1983, map 22).
Note: This find qualifies as Treasure under the Treasure Act of 1996.
Class: Pyramid mount
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Ely Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2007T188
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 550
Date to: AD 800
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 13 mm
Width: 13 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 8th April 2007
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: T2007188
Treasure case number: 2007T188
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cambridgeshire (County)
District: South Cambridgeshire (District)
To be known as: Cambridgeshire
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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