Anglo-Saxon Brooches

The Strickland Brooch, a mysterious object -- we don't even know for sure who "Strickland" was -- probably made around 1000. Now in the British Museum. The interplay of silver, gold, and darkness is extraordinary.

Disk brooch from Teynam in southeastern England, possibly made in the royal palace at Faversham in the early 600s. Now in the Met.

Pendant, also found at Teynam, part of the same hoard as the above.

The Kingston Brooch, found in 1771 by excavators hired by the Reverend Bryan Faussett, curate of Nackington and archaeological pioneer. The brooch was part of the very rich grave of a noble woman, under an impressive barrow. Other objects in the grave included silver safety pins, a gold pendant, and two imported bronze vessels. The skeleton of a girl was found outside the coffin. The brooch was made in the early 600s in Kent, under Merovingian influence.

The six disc brooches from Pentney, found by a grave digger in 1978. Early 9th century. Now in the British Museum.

The Pitney Brooch, ca. 1000, which represents a fusion of Viking and Anglo-Saxon styles.

Silver brooch of Ædwen, circa 1000. This was part of a treasure plowed up in a field in 1694, then lost, then recognized in a private collection that was given to the British Museum in 1951. The name comes from the inscription on the back, which can be translated,

Ædwen owns me, may the Lord own her. May the Lord curse him who takes me from her, unless she gives me of her own free will.