Flagon

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This silver gilt flagon 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. This picture shows a detail of one of the figural scenes.

The flagon has been restored from three crushed and folded pieces. It is ornamented in repoussé technique, illustrating Paradise on the top section and Biblical scenes on the lower. Here the betrayal of Christ is depicted.

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.

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-994-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVA 1
• Date: Deposited between 410 and 425 AD
  
• Material: Silver; showing The Fall, The Adoration, Moses striking the Rock, etc
  
• Dimensions: 8.50" H; weight 13.70 oz
  
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• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver flagon with repoussé decoration of biblical scenes, 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. 13-9. 
  • Kent, J.P.C. and Painter, K.S. Wealth of the Roman world AD 300-700. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1977, p.123. 
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