File:Early medieval gold pendant cross inlaid with red stones (FindID 197535).jpg

Description of find

Cross pendant Gold cross-pendant set with four garnets, damaged, warped and missing one more garnet. The cross arms are of almost equal length and have concave ends, each of which contains a round setting. Two of these still contain small cabochon garnets, one of them contains flat garnet and a fourth, larger stone mounted very crudely at the centre of the cross. The cross arms are filled with filigree wires, while a grooved gold band runs around the sides of the cross. The back of the object is plain and concave, with a tear visible in one of the cross angles.

The object is slightly warped and the lower and proper right arm are bent; the grooved gold band is torn in one of the cross angles and the attachment loop is missing. Minor remains of the latter can still be seen on the front and in form of a triangular attachment on the back of the cross.

All four garnets are poorly mounted, with the settings squeezed around the stones which are obviously too small. The empty setting has a regular, unsquashed frame. This, together with the unsuitable size of the other stones and the presence of a flat rather than cabochon gem suggests that the garnets may be replacements or that it was impossible for the goldsmith to get appropriate stones. The low gold content of the object (cf. below) is notable and may be connected to the debasement of Merovingian gold coinage during the 7th century.

Discussion

A number of cross pendants are known from early Anglo-Saxon contexts and a several have been found on necklaces, most notably the one from Desborough, Northants. (Webster & Backhouse 1991, 28). Other prime examples are the finds from Ixworth, Suffolk, and Wilton, Norfolk (Webster & Backhouse 1991, nos. 11+12). Recent metaldetector finds include the Holdnerness cross (TAR 1998/9, no. 63), which is, however, much bigger and set with more complex garnet cloisonné, and a probably later sheet gold cross from North Yorkshire (TAR 2004, no. 118). Most closely related are a pendant cross with intact loop, set with filigree and one garnet from Winster Moor, Derbs. (Campbell 1982, fig. 41), and a possible reliquary cross pendant with a cross-shaped opening on the back from Newball, Lincs. (2005 T136).

Analysis

Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of the pendant indicated a gold content of 77-81%, a silver content of 17-19% and at least 2% copper. The red stones were identified by Raman spectroscopy as garnet.

Bibliography: Campbell J. (ed.) 1982, The Anglo-Saxons (London). Webster L. & Backhouse J. (eds) 1991, The Making of England: Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600 - 900. (London). TAR, Treasure Annual Reports.