Pictish chain of silver

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This silver chain was found at Whitlaw near Lauder in Berwickshire. It is one of ten surviving heavy silver chains, of a type found only in Scotland and generally attributed to the Picts. They were symbols of high status, worn between 400 and 800 AD.

The incomplete chain consists of six complete links, two broken links and a plain terminal ring.

Although commonly attributed to the Picts, only three chains have been found in the Pictish kingdom proper. They were almost certainly badges of high rank - perhaps the equivalent of 'crown jewels' in a land of many kings.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-336-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 172
• Date: Between 400 and 800
  
• Material: Silver; massive; double rings
  Chain / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Chain / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Berwickshire, Lauder, Whitley
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of a massive Pictish chain of double rings of silver, from Whitley, Lauder
  
• References:
  • Donations to the Museum and Library. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 29 (1894-5), pp 209-10 
• Translations:
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