Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Pin set from Cow Low
Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Pin set from Cow Low
Dimensions : Chain: length 8.7cm. Pins: length 5cm.
Site name : Cow Low
Site type : Burial site
Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Gold; Gemstone; Metal
Object type : Grave goods; Jewellery; Personal item
Museum number : J93.703
The Anglo-Saxons had a particular liking for gold and garnet jewellery. The famous burial from Sutton Hoo is the most well known example of this. The pin set is an example of a simpler piece of gold and garnet jewellery. Fine jewellery like this shows the wealth and power of the ruling class in the Peak District in the later 7th century. It also shows contact with the continent. Both the gold and garnets probably came from Europe. It is unlikely the pin set was made in Derbyshire. It is more likely to have been imported from the south east of England.
The two pins have heads decorated with gold beading and set with a garnet (or possibly red glass). They are joined by a chain of gold links.
Bibliography :
Bateman, T. , 1848
Jones, H. E. , 1997
Glossary:
Anglo-Saxon
Garnet
Peak District
Sutton Hoo
Thomas Bateman
Related objects
Beaver's tooth pendant from Wigber Low
Bowl, pin set, studs and beads from Cow Low
Watercolour of the two necklaces from Cow Low
Gold and garnet disc from White Low
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