Record

Detail of the Hunterston brooch

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from Hunterston, Ayrshire

Postcard of Detail of the Hunterston brooch.
000-190-001-184-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 front left hoop.

The hoop of the front of the brooch is made of filigree panels alternating with amber settings, now much decayed. The filigree and granulation depict interlaced beasts with curled snouts.

The filigree decoration on the Hunterston brooch is exceptionally fine. The goldsmith was probably trained in Anglo-Saxon techniques, but in his use of filigree he additionally provided a number of innovations in design and technique.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-190-001-184-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:
  • Whitfield, Niamh. The filigree of the Hunterston and 'Tara' brooches. In: Spearman, R. Michael and Higgit, John. The Age of Migrating Ideas. Early Medieval Art in Northern Britain and Ireland. Edinburgh and Stroud: National Museums of Scotland and Alan S 
  • 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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