Brooch (front)

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This flat circular silver ring brooch dates from the 14th century. It was found in a small hoard of like material at Langhope in Roxburghshire. It is decorated with simple designs and an inscription, which suggests that the brooch was used as a protective amulet.

The front is inscribed '+IHESVS NAZARENVS REX NAZAE+'. The pin has a design of alternate hatched and plain triangles which is repeated on the other side of the brooch.

The talismanic inscription, invoking 'Jesus of Nazereth', was a sacred formula for protection (particularly against sudden death) or as a medium of good fortune.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-287-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NGA 22
• Date: 14th century
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: +IHESVS NAZARENVS REX NAZAE+
  Brooch
  
• Dimensions: 57 mm Dia x 8 mm D
  
• What: Brooch
  
• Subject: Jewellery - brooches with old-type pins (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Jesus Christ
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Flat, circular brooch of silver inscribed "+IHESVS NAZARENVS REX NAZAE+", with a design of alternate hatched and plain triangles on the pin repeated on the other side of the brooch ring
  
• References:
  • Callender, J. Graham, 'Fourteenth-century Brooches and other Ornaments', Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 58, (1923-4), pp 160-84 
  • [Stevenson, R. B. K.] Brooches in Scotland. Edinburgh: National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, 1966 (and later editions) 
• Translations:
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