Record

Brooch (detail)

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found at Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney

Postcard of Brooch (detail).
000-190-001-230-C
© National Museums Scotland

Brooch (detail)

This large silver brooch was found at Skaill at Sandwick in Orkney, and is part of the largest Viking Age silver hoard found in Scotland. It was clearly meant for ostentatious display of wealth and status. This picture shows a detail of the hoop.

The ball-shaped pinhead and hoop terminals are engraved on this side with interlaced animal patterns - a bird on the pinhead and S-shaped ribbon animals on the terminals. They are in decorated in a Scandinavian art style called Mammen style.

Ball-type penannular brooches developed in Ireland, but were adopted by Viking settlers. Decoration, as on this example, reflected Scandinavian taste. They were probably made in a workshop situated around the Irish Sea, perhaps on the Isle of Man.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-190-001-230-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 1
Date: Deposited between 950 and 970
Material: Silver; large; extremities and head of pin shaped like thistle; engraved pattern on one side
Dimensions: 5.50" - 8.00" D
What: Brooch, penannular
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
Event:
Description: Viking silver penannular ring brooch with thistle-shaped extremities and pinhead and an engraved pattern on one side, from Skaill
References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100). Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 1995, pp. 34-48, 108-9. 
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