Fragment of a gold and garnet cross

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This fragment of a gold and garnet cross was found at Dunbar in East Lothian. It is a high quality and expensive jewelled cross, probably worn as a pendant by a bishop or abbot. The cross was made sometime between 600 and 650.

The garnets are set in gold cloissoné, where cells are formed with textured gold leaf at the bottom. The outside is bordered by gold filigree.

The Northumbrian Angles controlled the southeast Lowlands in the seventh century. The archaeological evidence of this event consists of monumental sculpture and some high quality metalwork in an Anglian technique such as this one.

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-319-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1997.529
• Date: 600 - 650 AD
  Between 600 and 650
  
• Material: Cross / fragment
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Cross / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Dunbar
  
• Event:
• Description: Pectoral cross fragment from Dunbar, East Lothian, 600 - 650 AD
  
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