Record

Pin

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From Brough of Birsay, Orkney

Postcard of Pin.
000-100-040-628-C
© National Museums Scotland

Pin

This bronze pin was found on the Brough of Birsay in Orkney. It is an Irish type of pin, made sometime between 875 and 1100.

The pin has a crutch-shaped head decorated with two ring and dots, a popular decorative motif found on both Pictish and Viking objects. It is very corroded.

Dress pins were used to fasten cloaks throughout northern Europe. They occur in a range of materials and styles. Some were quite elaborate, and clearly meant to display social status as well as hold together clothing.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-040-628-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HB 424
Date: Between 875 and 1100
Material: Bronze; crutch head; decorated with dot-in-circle
Dimensions: 76 mm L
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, Brough of Birsay
Event:
Description: Irish bronze pin with crutch head, from Birsay
References:
  • Curle, C.L. Pictish and Norse finds from the Brough of Birsay, 1973-74. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series 1, 1982, pp 62-3. 
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