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 is a detail of the reverse of the hoop.

This part of the hoop bears an inscription inscribed in 10th century Scandinavian runes which translates as 'Melbrigda owns this brooch'.

The inscription shows that the brooch was valued for generations after its manufacture. It is often taken to indicate that the brooch fell into the hands of the Vikings, perhaps around 1000. However, the name 'Melbrigda' is that of an Irishman.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-173-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, but the runic inscription dates from between 900 and 1000
  
• 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:
  • 'MOSAICS' multimedia programme. NMS 1994 
  • 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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