Record

Detail of the Hunterston brooch

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found at Hunterston, Ayrshire

Postcard of Detail of the Hunterston brooch.
000-190-001-172-C
© National Museums Scotland

Detail of the Hunterston brooch

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 is a detail of the reverse of the right terminal.

The reverse of the brooch has cast silver gilt panels decorated in a deep imitation chip-carved technique. The decoration consists of trumpet spirals filled with bird beaks and heads. These details are reminiscent of ornament in Northumbrian manuscripts.

The silver gilt panels at the back of the brooch would not, of course, have been visible when the owner wore the brooch. The Hunterston brooch is not unique here: some Anglo-Saxon brooches also have panels at the back.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-190-001-172-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 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)
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 470-3. 
  • Youngs, Susan (ed). 'The Work of Angels'. Masterpieces of Celtic metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD. London: British Museums Publications Ltd, 1989, pp 91-2. 
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