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Description: | Description: Openwork cube, the edges formed from lengths of beaded wire with each face divided into four triangular apertures by two pieces of beaded wire connecting opposing corners. In the centre of each face where the wire crosses is a single granular pellet (two of which are missing), with three pellets at each corner of the cube, except at one where over three quarters of a beaded wire loop, broken at the apex on the outside of the cube, survives, presumeably the remains of a suspension loop. A straight, longitudinal indented line or seam can be seen on several lengths of wire and the surface appears melted in some places.Discussion: This decorative pendant may have formed part of an earring of Roman or more probably Early Medieval date, perhaps of continental origin, although no very close parallel has been found and filigree wire and granulation or pellets was also popular as a method of decorating jewellery in other periods, particularly the 16th century. Composite Roman earrings incorporating separate suspended elements and sometimes decorated with filigree and granulation are well known, see for example a Roman earring in the collections of the British Museum ( museum number 1874,0610.1), although such elaborate earings are rare finds in Britain (Johns, 1996, 127).Early Saxon earrings with faceted beads or beads decorated with filigree threaded onto hoops are a well known type. See for example MacGregor (1997, 151 - 2, nos. 74.1 - 74.5) and also a 7th - 8th century example from Hungary in the collections of the British Museum (museum number 1933,0405.13) with a suspended openwork filigree bead.After examination at the British Museum, a 16th century date is thought most likely.Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a filigree item by the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research indicated a surface composition of approximately 57-59% gold, 37-39% silver with at least 3% copper. The item weighs 0.97 grams.Date: Probably post-medieval, 16th century.Dimensions: Measuring 9 x 9.5 x 7mm. Diameter of wire circa 0.5mm. Weight 0.97g.The age and precious metal content of this item therefore qualify it as treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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