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Silver bowl

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found on St Ninian's Isle, Dunrossness, Shetland

Postcard of Silver bowl.
000-190-001-155-C
© National Museums Scotland

Silver bowl

This silver bowl is part of a hoard found on St Ninian's Isle a Dunrossness in Shetland in 1958. The hoard was buried for safe keeping on the site of an early Christian church sometime between 750 and 825. This picture shows the base of the bowl.

The base of the bowl is decorated with six lentoid panels interspaced with sub-triangular panels in a marigold pattern. Around the sides of the bowl the procession of interlocking animals can be seen.

The metalwork found in the St Ninian's Isle treasure shows the skill and accomplishment of Pictish craftsmen. The use of dotted backgrounds and some of the animal decoration on other objects are distinctive Pictish artistic traits.


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Online ID: 000-190-001-155-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 270
Date: 8th century
Buried between 750 and 825
Material: Silver; with deep basal depression; decorated with 4 pairs of grotesque animals facing each other, bodies interlocked; background finely dotted; 3 branches ending in dots alternately inverted and linked by chevron line; marigold pattern on base
Dimensions: 5.75" approx D x 1.60" deep
What: Bowl
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Shetland, St Ninian's Isle
Event:
Description: Bowl of silver, decorated with four pairs of grotesque animals, interlocking, from St Ninian's Isle, Pictish, 8th century
References:
  • Small, A., Thomas, C., & Wilson, D. M. St. Ninian's Isle and its Treasure. London: Oxford University Press,1973 
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