Bracteate

Anglo-Saxon

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

6th Century

Bracteates are pendant ornaments of Scandinavian origin. They all have a central design and this one depicts a man with a sword engaged in combat with a beak-headed quadruped. His left hand is raised against its jaws, either clasping the animal or being bitten by it. There is a short runic inscription above the man's left hand.

• Medium: gold
• Dimensions: diameter: 4.4cm
• Art Fund Grant: £5000 ( Total: £6,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2005
• Vendor: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Provenance

Discovered by a metal detector user near Holt in Norfolk and declared Treasure in 2004.

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