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Penannular brooch of silver gilt

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found on St Ninian's Isle, Dunrossness, Shetland

Penannular brooch of silver gilt
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This silver gilt penannular brooch was found in a hoard containing silver objects and part of a porpoise's jaw, buried on St Ninian's Isle at Dunrossness in Shetland sometime between 750 and 825. The hoard probably belonged to a Pictish chief.

The brooch has square terminals. The terminals, hoop panel and pin are decorated with deeply carved interlace in a chip-carved-style technique. The brooch is very worn and has lost much of its gilding.

The metalwork found in the St Ninian's Isle treasure shows the skill and accomplishment of Pictish craftsmen. Pictish brooches often have distinctive animal ornament. The use of simple oval pinheads contrasts with contemporary Irish penannular brooches.

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