Penannular brooch of silver gilt

Add to album

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 terminals have three projecting ears and, where the hoop joins the terminal, an elongated semicircular field bordered by a curved upstanding frame. The brooch has settings for four circular studs, none of which survive.

A variety of Pictish penannular brooches have been found. They have a characteristic panel on the hoop and frequently they have lobed terminals. The pins, when they survive, are quite distinctive. Silver and bronze examples are known.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-036-440-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 291
• Date: 8th century
  Buried between 750 and 825
  
• Material: Silver gilt; terminals with birds' heads in four lobes, three bordered by scrolls; panel on hoop; panel with central inset on head of pin
  Brooch, penannular
  
• Dimensions: 2.63" D
  
• What: Brooch, penannular
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, St Ninian's Isle
  
• Event:
• Description: Penannular brooch of silver-gilt with birds' heads and scrolls, from St Ninian's Isle, Pictish, 8th century
  
• References:
  • Small, A., Thomas, C., & Wilson, D. M. St. Ninian's Isle and its Treasure. London: Oxford University Press,1973 
• Translations:
• Related Records: