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This is a gilded silver cross pendant or pectoral cross, dating to the early medieval period – most likely the 8th century. It was discovered in August 2021 by a metal-detectorist in a field near Leeds, and was recently acquired by Leeds Museums and Galleries thanks to generous donations. It is set to go on display at Leeds City Museum later this year.
Although one arm of the cross is broken, the metal is still in remarkable condition, made largely of silver and covered with a thin layer of gold leaf. Both faces of the cross are decorated in an intricate interlacing pattern that has been chip-carved. Each arm, which flares out into a curved sub-triangular shape, has a slightly different pattern, with the back face not matching any pattern on the front. At the centre is a copper-alloy rivet that holds a silver gilt disc on to the front of the cross. The edges of the disc are decorated with a wreath of beaded wire that has been twisted together. At the centre is a grey concretion, which suggests that there was once a central fitting that is now missing.
It seems probable that the cross was a pendant, worn around the neck of a high-status religious figure, and that the suspension loop would have been on the missing arm. Intriguingly, there are no close parallels recorded on the PAS database, but this style of interlace has been found on other objects dating from the 8th century. Other equal-armed crosses are known from East Cheshire (search LVPL1711 on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database) and Oxfordshire (BERK-9FA163), but both have a different decorative style.
For more information about this cross, see https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1035703 or search SWYOR-4E63BF on the PAS database.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is an initiative to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. For more information on the Scheme, and to browse its database of almost 1.8 million finds, visit https://finds.org.uk. Information on this find was provided by Amy Downes, Finds Liaison Officer for South and West Yorkshire.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Image: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
