Pictish chain of silver

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This massive silver chain was found at Torvean in Inverness-shire. It is one of ten surviving heavy silver chains, of a type found only in Scotland and generally attributed to the Picts. They were symbols of high status, worn between 400 and 800 AD.

The chain has 16 pairs of silver rings, plus a single ring at one end. It is incomplete, lacking its penannular terminal ring, which was lost soon after the chain was found. It is the heaviest of the ten surviving examples, weighing 2.88 kilograms.

Although commonly attributed to the Picts, only three chains, including this one, have been found in the Pictish kingdom proper. They were almost certainly badges of high rank - perhaps the equivalent of 'crown jewels' in a land of many kings.

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-324-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 148
• Date: Between 400 and 800
  
• Material: Silver; double rings; without terminal ring
  Chain
  
• Dimensions: Weight 93 oz
  
• What: Chain
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Inverness, Caledonian Canal
  
• Event:
• Description: Pictish chain of double rings of silver found in digging the Caledonian Canal, near Inverness
  
• References:
  • Smith, J.A. Notice of a silver chain or girdle... Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 10 (1872-4), pp 321-47, esp. pp 328-30. 
  • The Scot's Magazine, 72 (May 1810), p 323. 
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