Early Medieval (400AD - 1099AD)

Hunterston Brooch

Period:

Early Medieval

Description:

Hunterston Brooch, an early Christian brooch with panels of gold filigree combining Celtic and Anglo-Saxon styles, made in the west of Scotland or Ireland around 700 AD.

 

This early Christian brooch was found in 1830 on the Hunterston Estate in Ayrshire. It is a masterpiece of craft skills, and would have been worn by powerful nobles or clerics. Its style is typical of western Scotland and Ireland, combining Celtic and Anglo-Saxon influences. It is made of silver, richly decorated with amber settings and panels of filigree goldwork representing interlaced beasts. The back has gilded interlaced decoration. It had a long life, falling into the hands of Vikings around AD 1000 - a runic inscription on the back reads 'Melbrigda owns this brooch'.

Materials/Media:

Gold filigree, beaded wire, gilded cast silver panels

Dimensions:

diameter 122 mm

Source:

National Museums Scotland

Accession number:

X.FC 8

Digital Number:

NMAC003n

Creation Date:

c. 700

Copyright:

Board of Trustees, National Museums Scotland

RCAHMS site record:

Hunterston Brooch