The Museum of Somerset has acquired a very rare Early Medieval brooch, found by a metal detectorist near Cheddar in 2020. The large silver and copper alloy disc brooch is of national significance and is the first of its kind ever found in the South West. It probably belonged to a person of very high status during the period 800 to 900 AD.
The acquisition has been made possible thanks to the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, The Art Fund and The Friends of the Museum of Somerset. Conservation work will now take place before the brooch goes on display at the Museum in the autumn.
“Disc brooches were used to fasten clothing. This one is exceptional because of its large size, at 91mm in diameter, and the quality of its decoration. It’s decorated in what is known as the ‘Trewhiddle’ style and has a unique design made up of detailed interlaced plant and animal forms in bright silver and black niello set against a gilded back panel. At the moment its impact is reduced because of the soil and corrosion products still present on its surface, but once conserved the brooch will be very striking. It’s likely that it belonged to an important and wealthy person who had access to a goldsmith of exceptional ability,” Amal Khreisheh, Curator of Archaeology for the South West Heritage Trust.
The brooch was discovered by Iain Sansome while detecting on farmland at Cheddar, Somerset. He reported the object to the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme and a follow-up investigation took place at the find site. But no further significant discoveries were made, which may suggest that the brooch was lost or discarded into water, rather than being deliberately buried.
“The brooch is the most significant find I’ve ever made while detecting and although of national importance, I’m very pleased it will be going on display at Somerset’s county museum where it belongs, ” Finder Iain Sansome.
A Great Somerset Treasure
With Thanks to Our Funders
We’re delighted that the great generosity of funders has allowed this extraordinary object to be given a permanent home in Somerset. It comes from a period when the survival of Saxon Wessex was in doubt and Somerset would provide a refuge for King Alfred the Great from Danish invaders. That the brooch was found so close to Alfred’s palace at Cheddar has led to some suggestions of a connection with the royal Court, but we’ll never know for certain. We can only be grateful that such a resonant and beautiful object has been brought to light again after so many centuries. It is a great Somerset treasure,” Tom Mayberry, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust.
“We’re thrilled that this remarkable Early Medieval brooch has been unearthed after many centuries and will go on display to the public this autumn. Art Fund is proud to support museums in acquiring rare treasures of national significance such as this, which is why we’re so pleased to award funding to the Museum of Somerset to add this brooch to their collection,” Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund.
“The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund supports the purchase of a wide range of material for the permanent collections of non-nationally funded organisations in England and Wales. We are delighted that the Trewhiddle-style Cheddar Brooch has been acquired by the Museum of Somerset via the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme. It will benefit audiences for years to come,” Leanne Manfredi, National Programmes Lead, Victoria and Albert Museum.
