Ornament (Piece)

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This piece of a silver ornament was found in a large hoard of silver jewellery and hacksilver buried between 600 and 700 at Norrie's Law near Largo in Fife. It is an unusual object, and its date has been the subject of much controversy.

The metal piece was originally circular, and has had a square cut out of it. It is ornamented with trumpet and spiral patterns in high relief. The decoration is characteristic of Iron Age metalwork, though occasionally found on later objects.

The hacksilver found in the Norrie's Law hoard consisted of bits and pieces of silver objects from very different periods, some quite old when deposited. They were kept for reuse, ready to be melted down and made in other objects.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-219-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 29
• Date: Between 600 and 700
  
• Material: Trumpet and spiral patterns
  Ornament / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Ornament / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Largo, Norrie's Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of an ornament with trumpet and spiral patterns, from Norrie's Law
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, J. Norrie's Law, Fife: on the nature and dating of the silver hoard. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 121 (1991), pp 241-59. 
• Translations:
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