Finds Tray: Early medieval harness pendant

This intricately decorated early medieval harness pendant dates to AD 475-570, and was found in Quarley, Hampshire, on 13 July. It is made of copper-alloy, which has been cast and then gilded to achieve a gold finish. Pendants such as these were attached to harnesses using a separate hinged mount, and were often highly stylised, with designs reflecting the rider’s allegiance or social status. The decoration on this example is known as Salin’s Style I, a popular Anglo-Saxon motif which features anthropomorphic and zoomorphic imagery. The crescent shape of the plate has a central anthropomorphic mask, which is made up of a triangular nose, round eyes, a small circular mouth, and a c