from Kiloran Bay, Colonsay, Inner Hebrides

Weight

This lead weight with a bronze cap is one of seven weights found in a man's grave at Kiloran Bay on Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides. He was buried with a range of Scandinavian weapons and tools. He was probably a trader as well as a warrior.

The mount is a three dimensional animal head whose eyes are probably amber. Similar animal heads are used in a variety of contexts in Irish metalwork. The weight is the fourth heaviest in the set, and weighs 49.6 grams.

Viking craftsman cut up foreign metalwork, much probably from looted objects, and reused them in different ways. The Irish animal heads clearly appealed to their taste. Similar animal heads mounted on weights have been found in Ireland and Norway.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-000-099-702-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0036: Kiloran Bay Viking Burial (multimedia essay) Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.IL 783
Date:	9th century Between 875 and 925
Material:
Dimensions:
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Argyll, Colonsay, Kiloran Bay
Event:
Description:	Lead weight with a zoomorphic Celtic style gilt-bronze ornamented plate, with amber settings, on upper surface from a Viking grave found at Kiloran Bay, Colonsay, Argyll, 9th century
References:	Graham-Campbell, J. Viking artefacts. A select catalogue. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1980, no. 307. Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, pp 118-22. Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, pp 48-61, esp. p 56.
Translations:
Related Records: