From Whitecleugh, Lanarkshire; Traprain Law, East Lothian; Torvean, Inverness-shire; Haddington, East Lothian; Parkhill, Aberdeenshire; Whitlaw, Lauder, Berwickshire

Pictish chains of silver

These six heavy silver chains were found at Whitecleugh in Lanarkshire, Traprain Law in East Lothian, Torvean in Inverness-shire, Haddington in East Lothian, Parkhill in Aberdeenshire and at Whitley at Lauder in Berwickshire.

Most of the chains are formed by linking double rings of silver. In a few cases a penannular terminal ring survives, which on the Whitecleugh and Parkhill examples is ornamented with symbols similar to those on Pictish stones, highlighted by red enamel.

Although commonly attributed to the Picts, only three of the ten surviving heavy chains 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:	000-100-036-326-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.FC 248
Date:	6th or 7th century Between 400 and 800
Material:	Silver with red enamel; of double rings; penannular ring engraved with two of the symbols of the sculptured stones Silver; double rings; without terminal ring Silver; massive; double rings Silver; nineteen pairs of circular rings; single ring at one end Silver; of double rings; penannular terminal ring engraved with one of the symbols of the sculptured stones Silver; small double rings
Dimensions:	44 oz weight 53 oz 15 dwt weight 62.5 oz weight Weight 93 oz
What:	Chain Chain Chain Chain Chain Chain / portion
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Aberdeenshire, New Machar, Parkhill Scotland, Berwickshire, Lauder, Whitley Scotland, East Lothian, Haddington Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law Scotland, Inverness-shire, Inverness, Caledonian Canal Scotland, Lanarkshire, Crawfordjohn, Whitecleugh
Event:
Description:	Pictish chain of double rings of silver with penannular terminal ring engraved with one of the symbols of the sculptured stones, from Parkhill, Aberdeenshire Pictish chain of double rings of silver found in digging the Caledonian Canal, near Inverness Pictish chain of small double rings of silver, from near Haddington, East Lothian Pictish chain of 22 double links with a penannular terminal ring, the ring engraved with designs inlaid with red enamel, found at Whitecleugh, Lanarkshire Portion of a massive Pictish chain of double rings of silver, from Whitley, Lauder Massive Pictish silver chain consisting of nineteen pairs of circular rings with a single ring at one end, from Traprain Law
References:	Youngs, Susan (ed). 'The Work of Angels'. Masterpieces of Celtic metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD. London: British Museums Publications Ltd, 1989, p. 28.
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