Home > History Hunters > Treasures
Return to the thumbnail page Display/hide file information Slideshow FILE 8/63 Send this file as an e-card See previous file See next file

Two gold foil crosses
Two tiny Latin crosses (length c 30mm) with rounded terminals to the shorter arms and scored marks on the flatter example showing where the foil was to be cut to shape. These are the first such gold crosses to be found in England.

The tradition of using gold foil crosses in graves originated in Lombardic Italy, but they were equally popular in Alamannia (more or less modern Bavaria). The fashion lasted from the late 6th to early 8th centuries but was at its peak between c.570-650 and may symbolise allegiance to the church of Rome.

Such crosses were probably custom-made for the burial ceremony; most have perforations that would enable them to be sewn onto the clothing, but here they are quite plain and must have simply been laid on the body after it had been placed in the grave.
800px-Sutton_Hoo_ShoulderClasp2_RobRoy.jpg blueglass_large.jpg cd1267.jpg crosses_large.jpg detail_of_the_hammered_silver_Hippolytus_situla.jpg e3_2_10c_bos_plaque.jpg
Rate this file (No vote yet)
Rubbish
 Poor
 Fair
 Good
 Excellent
 Great
Powered by Coppermine Photo Gallery

Exodus design by Bloc