Rare Early Medieval Brooch Goes on Display

Free entry, with donations welcome

A very rare Early Medieval brooch, that lay hidden for many centuries, is going on display at the Museum of Somerset (from 20/10/23). It comes from a time when the survival of Saxon Wessex was in doubt and Somerset provided a refuge for King Alfred the Great at Athelney.

Dating from about AD 800 to 900, the large silver and copper alloy disc brooch is well over a thousand years old and is one of the most important single objects ever found in the county. Conservation work by Pieta Greaves of Drakon Heritage has removed centuries of corrosion and soil deposits to reveal the exceptional quality of its decoration. Interlaced animal and plant designs in bright silver and black ‘niello’ are set against a gilded back panel. The animals represented include wyverns – dragon-like creatures with two legs, wings and long tails, that would later become one of the symbols of Wessex.

A Remarkable Discovery

The brooch was found by metal detectorist Iain Sansome on farmland near Cheddar, Somerset, in 2020 and reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. No other discoveries were made which suggests that the brooch was lost or discarded into water, rather than being deliberately buried. It’s likely that it belonged to an important and wealthy person who had access to a goldsmith of exceptional ability.

Digital Models

We have been working in partnership with the Digital Humanties Lab at the University of Exeter to create interactive digital models of the Cheddar Brooch which you can explore below. To learn more about this process read the blog.

Acknowledgements

The brooch was acquired thanks to the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, The Art Fund and The Friends of the Museum of Somerset. Events are supported by Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation scheme.