Saxon Gold Jewelled Necklace Element
6th-7th century A.D. A gold ornament of discoid form with granulated border, central lozengiform cell with concave sides and turquoise-coloured enamel fill, semi-circular polished garnet cloison to each quarter, two ribbed suspension loops to the perimeter and two parallel tubular suspension loops to reverse. Cf. similar motif repeated on a Byzantine-inspired mount from Kudenetov, Russia, plate 17 in Adams, N., Rethinking the Sutton Hoo Shoulder-Clasps and Armour, in Entwistle, C. & Adams, N., Intelligible Beauty, Recent Research into Byzantine Jewellery, London, 2010. 1.65 grams, 19 mm (3/4 in.). Acquired 1980-2015.Ex Abelita family collection. The item clearly forms part of a necklace or bracelet secured by means of cords passing through the tubes on the reverse, and attached to its neighbours by links passing through the lateral hoops.