Pendant

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This bronze pendant was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It probably hung from the horse harness of an auxiliary cavalryman, sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The loop is attached to the centre at the back. There are six settings on the front, perhaps originally filled with coral or enamel.

The harnesses of Roman cavalrymen were decorated with a range of mounts and pendants. Some of the finer examples were probably used in tournaments or ceremonies rather than fighting.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-111-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 565
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Bronze; decorated
  Pendant, harness
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Pendant, harness
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Decorated bronze harness pendant, from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 303, Pl. LXXV, 11. 
• Translations:
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