2024-03-28T19:03:05+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results897110finds-11057551105755SF-6E1AB2BEADEARLY MEDIEVALDescription: A complete gold sheet metal biconical bead with gold wire filigree decoration of early medieval (early Anglo-Saxon) date. The two sections of the bead are each made from sheet metal rolled into truncated cones leaving a hole in the centre of their apex. One of these holes is encircled by applied beaded wire, but this is missing on the other. The two sections are joined together at their bases, the join then covered by two strips of beaded wire encircling this point. The outer face of each section is decorated with strips of beaded wire bent into three elongated triangles pointing outwards at regular intervals from the centre. Each of these triangles contains a Y-shape formed from two parallel strands of beaded wire, each arm of this shape meeting a corner of the triangle. Between each arm are then multiple asymmetrically arranged small annulets of beaded wire. The object is slightly distorted and somewhat flattened, but it survives in otherwise good condition with most of the decoration intact.
Date: 7th century AD
Dimensions: Length: 32.35mm, width: 13.69mm, thickness: 9.86mm, weight: 5.41g
Discussion: Hines and Bayliss Type BE 2 (Hines and Bayliss 2013, 208)
Although with unusually fine decoration, this bead resembles in overall form more common Anglo-Saxon ones made from coiled wire such as treasure cases 2009 T344 (SF-40CB01) from Suffolk, 2013 T15 (NMS-6F95B0) from Norfolk, 2003 T207 (KENT-7009B3) from Kent and 2002 T095 (PAS-2B1E44) from Warwickshire. These appear to have been used as spacer beads on high status necklaces, such as the particularly fine late 7th century one from Desborough, Northants, where they were strung between cabochon garnet pendants and gold bullae (Webster and Backhouse 1991, 28-9). Beads made from gold sheet metal like the present example are less common and typically less elaborately decorated but include treasure cases 2022 T838 (NARC-0A0C55) from Northamptonshire, 2015 T560 (SF-9FF8BD) from Suffolk, 2009 T598 (BH-DCDB53) from Hertfordshire, 2004 T496 (BM-8C8705) from North Yorkshire and 2009 T419 (LEIC-1768B3) from Leicestershire. The two halves of a similar, filigree decorated bead were found in Grave 46 during the excavation of the Sawcliffe, North Lincolnshire Anglo-Saxon cemetery and was securely dated to the seventh century (Leahy, forthcoming).
The object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. Consequently it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.
By Anna Booth, Suffolk County Council Archaeology Service, May 2023
Bibliography
Chadwick Hawkes, S. E. and Grainger, G. 2006. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Finglesham, Kent. Oxford: Oxford School of Archaeology Monograph 64.
Hines, J. and Bayliss, A (eds) 2013, Anglo-Saxon Graves and Grave Goods of the 6th and 7th Centuries AD: A Chronological Framework, Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph 33, London
Leahy, K, forthcoming: The Lost Valley, Finding the Anglo-Saxons, Greenlight Publishing.
Webster, L and Backhouse, J. 1991. The Making of England, Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture, AD 600-900. British Museum Press.
Webster, L. and Backhouse, J. 1991. The Making of England: Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture, AD 600-900. London: BMP.474760070012023T3363SF2023-03-01T00:00:00Z2023-03-31T14:35:39Z2023-11-09T13:26:52ZPAS6426E1AB001285123234141425159341572615674SuffolkMid SuffolkRestricted AccessDrinkstoneRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-6E1CF4Gold10892CompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorSubmitted for consideration as Treasure2023_T336_SF6E1AB2.jpg1225954images/annab/EasternCertain12024-03-01T09:51:16.188Zfinds-10962571096257SF-3A4648MOUNTEARLY MEDIEVALDescription: An incomplete Early Medieval copper-alloy, iron, gold and garnet pyramid mount strap fitting from a scabbard or sword-belt. The object is a four-sided, truncated pyramid-shape with a flattened apex within which a sub-square garnet is set measuring roughly 4.1mm x 4.0mm.
Each side is decorated a raised linear border along the sides and lower edge creating a recessed field in the centre. Each of these is decorated with inlaid beaded wire filigree decoration consisting of two alternating patterns (meaning that the patterns are the same on opposite sides), each feature of which is composed of two strands of wire. The first of these patterns consists of three transverse rows of small figure-of-eight shapes, each separated by transverse lines. The second of these consists of five annulets at the upper end – one in the centre and two to either side – and two transverse rows of annulet pairs connected at their upper ends. One of the sides featuring the latter decoration is damaged with part of the decoration missing from the centre lower end.
The reverse reveals that interior of the mount is composed of copper-alloy with gold sheet metal encasing the outer surface only. This copper-alloy interior has a roughly finished concave reverse featuring a small stub of corroded iron to either side, which is presumably the remains of a complete bar that would have allowed a strap to pass through for connection to the scabbard. There is a small amount of damage to one out corner where the outer gold casing has been pushed inwards, but it survives in otherwise good condition.
Date: Later 6th to early 7th century AD
Dimensions: Length: 19.80mm, width: 19.65mm, thickness: 10.34mm, weight: 11.00g
Discussion: Grave finds suggest that these mounts were connected to sword scabbards and typically occur in pairs. Mounts decorated with beaded wire filigree are not common. They belong to Mortimer’s (2019; 2021) ‘decorated: filigree’ Type 1v, of which he only recorded 8 examples, making up 3.6% of his total corpus.
Around half of these feature beaded wire filigree arranged in an approximation of Style II interlaced zoomorphic ornament. See for example the gold sheet metal outer shell of a mount from near Bury St Edmunds (SF5196; 2000 T277; Published in the Treasure Annual Report 2000, no. 59.), a very similar mount with its silver interior still present from Upton Grey Parish, Hampshire (2016 T890, BUC-87B54A) and the crumpled remains of a mount from Selsey, West Sussex now in the collections of the British Museum (Mus. No. 1981,0506.1).
Geometric spiral motifs similar to those seen on the present example do occur on a small number of mounts, but these are typically much more elaborately decorated.See for example the mount in the Staffordshire hoard (STAFFS-A53CD8), one from Wester Craigie, Dalmeny, West Lothian (Proudfoot and Aliaga-Kelly 1996, 5) and an example from Maidstone, Kent (British Museum no. 1974,0201.1).
Mortimer and Bunker (2019) suggest that mounts featuring filigree decoration are likely to date to the later part of the 6th to the early 7th century AD and the Style II decoration seen on certain parallels would seem to support this.
The object appears to contain more than 10% precious metal and it is over 300 years old. Consequently, it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.
Bibliography
Bunker, M. and Mortimer, P. 2019. The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England: from the 5th to 7th century. Ely: Anglo-Saxon Books.
Mortimer, P. (2021) A Pyramid Scheme.Pyramid Mounts from the 5th to the 7th century found in the United Kingdom, available at (accessed 24/02/23): https://www.academia.edu/49872485/A_Pyramid_Scheme_Pyramid_Mounts_from_the_5_th_to_the_7_th_century_found_in_the_United_Kingdom
Proudfoot, E. and Aliaga-Kelly, C. 1996, ‘Towards an Interpretation of Anomalous Finds and Place-names of Anglo-Saxon Origin in Scotland’. In Griffiths, D (ed.), Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History. 9. Oxford: Oxford University Committee for Archaeology, 1-13.474712023T6913SF2023-01-08T00:00:00Z2023-01-27T10:16:04Z2023-11-09T13:20:36ZPAS63D3A4640018731723234141425159341585015647SuffolkSt. EdmundsburyRestricted AccessBardwellRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-3A49BECopper alloy10627Gold10892CompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorSubmitted for consideration as Treasure2023_T69_BAR_SF3A4648.jpg1218973images/annab/EasternCertain12023-11-09T13:20:36.508Zfinds-10883001088300SF-CED5F8COINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver sceat, Secondary Series, Series R, R8 dating to circa AD 700-750. Obverse: Beaded standard containing degenerate TOTII legend, cross above. Reverse: RadIate bust of crude style right, annulet either side, AO behind. The coin is recorded on EMC under 2023.0219.47476757503SF2022-09-27T00:00:00Z2022-10-25T00:00:00Z2022-11-22T15:40:15Z2023-05-11T16:50:46Z0.89PAS637CED5F00188B13122142141425159341553615674SuffolkMid SuffolkRestricted AccessNear CottonRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-CEF8AB4413612639Beaded standard containing degenerate TOTII legend, cross aboveRadIate bust of crude style right, annulet either side, AO behind9SceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderCOT_SFCED5F8.jpg1212789images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)Series R : Metcalf R8 : Blackburn IEasternCertain12023-05-11T15:50:46.786Zfinds-10876241087624SF-7A5E82COINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver sceat, Primary Series Z, Type 66, dating to circa AD 680-720 (N 145). Obverse: bust facing with long hair, moustache and beard within an inner circle. Reverse: beast with long legs right, head down and tail. Ref: Abramson 2006, pg 75: Z220; North 1980: 42. The coin is recorded on EMC under 2023.0220.47476807203SF2020-01-28T00:00:00Z2022-10-25T00:00:00Z2022-11-18T15:34:00Z2023-05-11T16:51:07Z1.08PAS6377A5E800122E12.8122142241425159341553615674SuffolkMid SuffolkRestricted AccessNear CottonRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-7A642144113933612829Bust facing with long hair, moustache and beard within an inner circleBeast with long legs right, head down and tail curled between hind legs3UnknownSceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Chance find during metal detectingReturned to finderCOT_SF7A5E82.jpg1225880images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)Series Z (Type 66) (N 145: beast right)EasternCertain12023-05-11T15:51:07.44Zfinds-10713511071351SF-DB093DCOINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver sceat, Continental Secondary Series E, VICO Variety 1, dating to AD circa 700-765 . Obverse: quilled crescent with triangular head enclosed pellet eye, bars and chevron below. Reverse: Beaded standard with central anulet and pellets and VIC within, pseudo legend around. Ref: Abramson 2006: E800. The coin is recorded on EMC under 2022.0418.47477007653SF2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020-12-31T00:00:00ZRLM 013NH20-0992022-06-30T15:17:55Z2023-05-11T16:52:26Z1.17PAS62BDB093001D92121221421159341534215508SuffolkSuffolk CoastalRestricted AccessNear WoodbridgeRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-DB0C914413613109Quilled crescent with triangular head enclosed pellet eye, bars and chevron below.Beaded standard with central anulet and pellets and VIC within, pseudo legend aroundSceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderRLM_013_SFDB093D.jpg1199846images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)Series E (VICO 1) (Type 4)Certain12023-05-11T15:52:26.663Zfinds-10713361071336SF-DA7863COINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval pale gold shilling/thrysma, East Anglian, so-called Constantine or Oath-taking type, dating to circa AD 660-670 (N 17). Obverse: diademed bust right holding cross before; Reverse: trophy derivative. Ref: North 1980: 32. The coin is recorded on EMC under 2022.04164747116606703SF2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020-12-31T00:00:00ZRLM 013NH20-0932022-06-30T14:39:18Z2023-05-11T16:52:51Z1.28PAS62BDA78600132B11.61231421159341521915508SuffolkSuffolk CoastalRestricted AccessNear WoodbridgeRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-DA7A4C4564311868diademed bust right holding cross beforetrophy derivativeThrymsaAnonymous (Shilling/Thrymsa)Gold10892Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EarlyEarlyEARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderRLM_013_SFDA7863.jpg1198155images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon gold coinSutherland II.ii: Roman: Constantine I (26)Certain12023-05-11T15:52:51.188Zfinds-10712331071233SF-D7351DCOINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver sceat, Continental Secondary Series B1a, Type 27b, dating to AD circa 695-715 (N 45). Obverse: Diademed head right with double row of pellets in diadem, within serpent circle . Reverse: Bird on cross within serpent circle, annulets to each side of the cross Ref: Abramson 2006: pg 66, B215. The coin is recorded on EMC under 2022.0417.47473SF2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020-12-31T00:00:00ZRLM 042NH20-0552022-06-30T10:56:33Z2023-05-11T16:53:14Z1.11PAS62BD7351001D7312.61.61221421159341534215508SuffolkSuffolk CoastalRestricted AccessNear WoodbridgeRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-D738554413612349Diademed head right with double row of pellets in diadem, within serpent circleBird on cross within serpent circle, annulets to each side of the cross6SceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderRLM_042_SFD7351D.jpg1198548images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)Series BIa (Type 27b) (N 126) [double row of pellets in diadem]Certain12023-05-11T15:53:14.478Zfinds-10712041071204SF-D62C8FCOINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver sceat, Continental Secondary Series E, Variety G1, dating to AD circa 695-715 (N 45). Obverse: quilled crescent with two pellet eyes enclosed within a triangular head. Vertical rib joins head and end of coil to give crescent shaped external body. Extending from this is a right angled leg with pellet joint. Reverse: Beaded standard with central ring and dot motif. Ref: North 1980: 37; Abramson 2006: pg 88, E215. The coin is recorded on EMC under 2022.0415.47476957153SF2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020-12-31T00:00:00ZRLM 013NH20-0242022-06-30T09:46:00Z2023-05-11T16:53:41Z1.28PAS62BD62C8001F8D12.32122142141425159341534215508SuffolkSuffolk CoastalRestricted AccessNear WoodbridgeRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-D62E454413613179quilled crescent with two pellet eyes enclosed within a triangular head. Vertical rib joins head and end of coil to give crescent shaped external body. Extending from this is a right angled leg with pellet jointBeaded standard with central ring and dot motifSceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderRLM_013_SFD62C8F.jpg1198138images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)Series E (Variety G1) (Type 4) (N 45)EasternCertain12023-05-11T15:53:41.144Zfinds-10680611068061SF-E09A0DCOINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver sceatta, Continental type, formerly known as 'Maastricht type, dating to circa AD 700-740. Obverse: stylised bust right with radiate crown, cross pommee in front and triangle of pellets behind, with partially beaded border. Reverse: Interlaced cross with trefoil of pellets in quadrants. Classified as Int10 in Abramson 2006. A similar example is recorded on EMC under 2006.0269.The coin is recorded on EMC under 2022.0435.474770074013SF2021-11-01T00:00:00Z2022-04-12T00:00:00Z2022-06-06T15:05:20Z2022-12-05T11:11:00Z1.12PAS629E09A0001DC4131.7122142141425159341578315647SuffolkSt. EdmundsburyRestricted AccessNear PakenhamRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-E09A9A4413613449Stylised bust right with radiate crown, cross pommee in front and triangle of pellets behind, with partially beaded border.Interlaced cross with trefoil of pellets in quadrantsSceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderPKM_SFE09A0D.jpg1205111images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)'Maastricht' typeEasternCertain12022-12-05T11:11:00.726Zfinds-10680501068050SF-E01639COINEARLY MEDIEVALAn Early Medieval silver scaetta, Series BII, Type 27b, dating to circa AD 680-710 (N 127). Obverse: crude diademed bust right, braided hair in serpent circle starting 8 o'clock. Vestigial legend in margin. Reverse: bird on cross pattee, small cross before, annulets either side, serpent circle. Vestigial legend in Margin. As Abramson pg 66, B400; North 1980: 41.The coin is recorded on EMC under 2022.043447476807103SF2021-11-01T00:00:00Z2022-04-12T00:00:00Z2022-06-06T14:30:11Z2022-12-05T11:09:57Z1.22PAS629E016300199F11.81.7122142141425159341578315647SuffolkSt. EdmundsburyRestricted AccessNear PakenhamRestricted Accessbands.shops.handy10SF-E018334413612429SceatAnonymous (early penny/sceatta)Silver11728Struck or hammeredCompleteEARLY MEDIEVALx41022EARLY MEDIEVALx41022x41022Metal detectorReturned to finderPKM_SFE01639.jpg1205101images/pjh41/Early Anglo-Saxon silver coin (sceatta)Series BII (Type 27b) (N 127)EasternCertain12022-12-05T11:09:58.044Z