Piece of a silver platter

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This piece of a silver platter was found at Traprain Law in East Lothian. It was part of a hoard containing over 150 silver objects, mainly tableware, buried between 410 and 425 AD. The platter may have been made in Alexandria.

About half of the platter survives. This picture shows the bottom, which is ornamented in repoussé technique with the head of the Greek hero Hercules in a medallion.

All the silver in the large Traprain Law hoard was treated as scrap, with virtually all of it cut up and bent over. It probably represents payment to ensure the loyalty of a friendly chief, but other theories include payment for warriors or loot.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-713-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVA 36
• Date: Deposited between 410 and 425 AD
  
• Material: Silver; shallow; head of Hercules in medallion; hunting scenes outside
  Platter / portion
  
• Dimensions: 10.00" D; weight 26.45 oz
  
• What: Platter / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Half of a silver platter with the head of Hercules in medallion and hunting scenes outside, from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • Curle, Alexander O. The treasure of Traprain. A Scottish hoard of Roman silver plate.' Glasgow: Maclehose, Jackson and Co., 1923, pp. 41-3. 
• Translations:
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