2024-03-29T09:17:15+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709/format/pdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709/format/rdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/939709939709LANCUM-2FADAFPAS5C62FADA001FB1PENDANT182246.99411EARLY MEDIEVAL800900A gilded cast copper alloy pendant dating from the early medieval period, that is the 9th century AD.
The artefact survives almost complete, although it is a reworked object that does not survive in its original, larger, form. The fragment was broken off a larger object and shows signs of having been reworked into its current shape, which is probably that of a pendant. All edges are rough to the touch but the original break occurred at what is now the bottom of the pendant. The flat sides (top and sides) are smoother than the break and show possibly previous tinning. The current shape is that of a small almost square copper alloy cell with rough unworked reverse and an obverse with a design. The design was probably incised post casting and the interior of the cell as well as the bottom of the pendant show gilding which may have been applied to the original object and possibly renewed when the fragment was turned into a pendant. It is identified as a pendant because a small loop (now broken) was riveted to the top of the object so it could be worn as, e.g. a necklace. The loop was made from a folded over strip of copper alloy that had been riveted to the pendant through the top of the design as well as at the top, above the pendant. However, the small loop at the top of the pendant may have been an original feature from where the original object had been riveted to something else and was now used to attach the suspension loop to it.
The design is 9th century Irish: it is very intricate and extremely finely incised. It depicts a quadruped, possibly a wolf, in typically Insular fashion, wound around itself, with the head facing backwards, mouth wide open. The front leg is turned towards the lower left corner. The eyes, ears and mouth are clearly depicted and the fur on the body and muzzle are indicated by hatching. The corners of the small mount are decorated with triskeles, knotwork and braiding.
It is possibly that originally, the small square was an arm of a cruciform harness mount or else, a cross, possibly an artefact similar to FAKL-05180F.2019-02-12 16:56:582019-05-13 16:44:364111Certain11234747PAS5C62FADA001FB1741LANCUMRegional importanceCopper alloy10627GildedCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALEMx41022p0gjgrshhcwEARLY MEDIEVALEMx41022p0gjgrshhcwMetal detectorCircaCirca93786751564968492541431Restricted AccessSD4976SD47NECarnforth1011046179LANCUM2FADAFearlymedievalpendant.jpg1166548PendantThe Portable Antiquities Scheme4images/dboughton/North WestCharacter undeterminedCultivated landEuropean RegionCountyLancashireDistrictLancasterCivil Parish54.1837-2.76689Restricted AccessReturned to finder96721