Fragment of a silver penannular brooch

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This end of a silver penannular brooch with gold plating and filigree work, and amber or enamel settings, was found at Croy in Inverness-shire in a hoard consisting primarily of Pictish jewellery. It was buried between 800 and 900.

The end of the penannular brooch has raised edges which have been filled with thin plates of gold. It is decorated with gold filigree work in spirals and a triquetra shape. The raised setting is divided into 11 compartments, filled with amber.

The jewellery in the Croy hoard shows some of the elaborate metalwork that could be achieved by Pictish craftsmen. The silver brooches were cast into ornate shapes, then had decoration added to the surface.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-203-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 13
• Date: Between 800 and 900
  
• Material: Silver; expanded end ornamented with gold filigree work and amber settings
  Brooch / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Brooch / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who: James Shearer (Possible finder)
  
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Croy
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of silver brooch with the expanded end ornamented with gold filigree work and amber settings, from Croy, Inverness-shire
  
• References:
  • Ross, Alexander. Notice of the discovery of portions of two penannular brooches of silver with beds of glass and amber, and a silver coin of Coenwulf, King of Mercia (A.D. 795-818), at Mains of Croy, Inverness-shire. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquar 
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