From Whitecleugh, Lanarkshire; Traprain Law, East Lothian; Torvean, Inverness-shire; Haddington, East Lothian; Parkhill, Aberdeenshire; Whitlaw, Lauder, Berwickshire
![Postcard of Pictish chains of silver.](/database/media.php?file=postcard/image/0098/00983199.jpg&PHPSESSID=i7ckbarb4ptahs4hh3bs3ptmu2) 000-100-036-326-C © National Museums Scotland |
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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.
Record details
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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
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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
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Dimensions: |
44 oz weight 53 oz 15 dwt weight 62.5 oz weight Weight 93 oz
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What: |
Chain Chain Chain Chain Chain Chain / portion
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Subject: |
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Who: |
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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
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Event: |
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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
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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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