Silver handpin

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This silver handpin with red enamel decoration is one of two similar ones found at Norrie's Law near Largo in Fife in a large hoard of silver jewellery and hacksilver. This picture shows a detail of the front of the pinhead.

Red enamel provides a background to the semicircular section decorated in fine spirals and to the central roundel with cross at the top. Around the edge of the pinhead is an engraved herringbone pattern and a line of beading.

Much of the silver found in the Norrie's Law hoard was melted down after its discovery. Originally it contained items varying widely in date, including Pictish jewellery and folded over Roman spoons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-979-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 30
• Date: Between 600 and 700
  
• Material: Silver; with enamelled head
  Pin
  
• Dimensions: 6.25" L
  
• What: Pin
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Largo, Norrie's Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver pin with enamelled head, from Norrie's Law
  
• References:
  • Youngs, Susan (ed.). 'The work of Angels'. Masterpieces of Celtic metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD. London: British Museum Publications Ltd, 1989, pp 26-7. 
• Translations:
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