© Castle Museum
The Ardleigh Pommel Cap
Artist: Anglo-Saxon
Location: Castle Museum
Date: circa 575-625
Materials: gold
Dimensions: 4.4 x 4.3cm
Grant:
Amount Paid: £2,750 (Total: £6,500)
Vendor: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Review number: 5710 (2006)
Provenance:
Discovered in 2003 by a metal detectorist at Ardleigh, near Colchester, Essex, and declared Treasure in 2005.
Description:
The Ardleigh 'cocked hat' pommel cap is a thin gold sheath that fitted over the pommel of a high-status sword. It is a rare and striking example of Anglo-Saxon metalwork from the 'East Saxon' region, and is decorated with fine-quality filigree ornament including zoomorphs, quatrefoil knots and interlace. This form of pommel is found mainly in eastern Scandinavia, as well as in Kent, east and north-east England, the Danube headwaters and northern Italy.
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