Brooches (fragments)

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These fragments from silver penannular brooches were found at Skaill at Sandwick in Orkney. They are part of the largest Viking Age silver hoard found in Scotland, buried between 950 and 970. These fragments were valued as silver bullion for economic transactions.

The fragments are from the terminals and pin heads of large penannular silver brooches. They are decorated, some with geometric decoration, others with brambling. Some are worn, but one is unused, perhaps thrown away because of a casting flaw.

Ten ball-type brooches were included in the Skaill hoard, together with fragments of others. This type of brooch was developed in Ireland in the ninth century, and became popular amongst Scandinavians.

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-110-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 65
• Date: Deposited between 950 and 970
  
• Material: Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  Brooch / ring / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  
• Event:
• Description: One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  One of forty four fragments of brooches and rings which include two globular ends of large brooches and a portion of knitted silver wire, from Skaill
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100), 1995, pp 34-6, 118-9. 
• Translations:
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