Detail of the Hunterston brooch

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This silver gilt brooch with amber settings was found at Hunterston in Ayrshire. Made around 700, it is one of the finest products of its time. This picture shows a detail of the central blocking panel between the terminals.

The central panel is subdivided into smaller panels, decorated with interlaced filigree patterns. It is framed by birds' heads, whose eyes are the decayed round amber studs, one preserving a filigree inset. The central rectangle has a cross motif.

Unlike penannular brooches it resembles, this brooch had the central part of the hoop filled in. The panel contains many exceptional elements and is the focus of the brooch. It may have been styled on an Anglo-Saxon reliquary.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-171-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 8
• Date: c. 700
  Made around 700
  
• Material: Silver and gold; amber settings; panels of interlaced work; runic inscription on the back. Inscription: Hoop: Melbrigda owns this brooch (Viking runes)
  Brooch
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Brooch
  
• Subject: Personal Ornaments
  
• Who: Melbrigda (Owner)
  Viking
  
• Where: Ireland
  Scotland, Ayrshire, Hunterston
  Scotland, West
  
• Event:
• Description: Hunterston Brooch, an early Christian brooch with panels of gold filigree in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon styles, from Ireland or the West of Scotland, c. 700 AD, and found at Hunterston, Ayrshire in 1830
  
• References:
  • Stevenson, Robert B.K. Further notes on the Hunterston and 'Tara' brooches, Monymusk reliquary and Blackness bracelet. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 113 (1983), pp 469-477, esp. pp 469-73. 
  • Youngs, Susan (ed). 'The Work of Angels'. Masterpieces of Celtic metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD. London: British Museums Publications Ltd, 1989, pp 91-2. 
• Translations:
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