Silver handles

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These two silver handles were 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. Most of the objects were fragmentary.

One handle is in the shape of leopard, the other either a panther or lioness. They may have fitted onto a bowl or flagon, and need not have been on the same vessel. Panthers were sacred to Bacchus, the god of wine.

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: 000-100-039-826-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVA 123 B
• Date: Deposited between 410 and 425 AD
  
• Material: Silver; in shape of a leopard
  Silver; in shape of a panther or lioness
  Handle
  Handle
  
• Dimensions: Weight 2.55 oz
  Weight 2.90 oz
  
• What: Handle
  Handle
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver handle in the shape of a leopard, from Traprain Law
  Silver handle in the shape of a panther or lioness, 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. 79-80. 
• Translations:
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