500-year-old pendant found by metal detector declared a treasure

The circular reliquary pendant was found in May near Stroud in Gloucestershire by detectorist David Mallows of the Wyvern History and Detection Club in Harescombe. At an inquest in Gloucester last Thursday, the coroner was told it dated between 1400 and 1540, contained precious metals and met the requirements of a treasure.

The heavily gilded solid silver pendant weighs 6.37 grams and measures 25mm by 6mm. It was made to hold small religious relics, including the physical remains of saints, such as bones or items of clothing. Fragments of fabric and possibly hair were found inside. The British Museum's treasure registrar, Dr Denise Wilding, said it was considered a treasure because of its age and precious metal content.

The pendant is circular in plan and rectangular in cross-section. It is made of a flat silver disc (forming the front panel) with a rectangular strip soldered to the outer edge to form the sides of the box. A 1mm recessed edge runs around the inner edge of the back opening where the back panel was originally located, but is now missing.

The front panel is decorated with a detailed and well executed Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) in relief. The Agnus Dei is depicted to the left, looking backwards with its head surrounded by a halo and has well defined eyes, nostrils, mouth and pointed ears. Behind the lamb is a vexillum, a fluttering forked banner. The lamb stands on a rocky promontory with one front leg raised.

A thick twisted wire winds around the outside and is attached to the frame. The attachment is not precise and waves around the perimeter of the box. On the top edge of the frame, located on either side of the twisted wire strip, are two rectangular solder marks where the eyelet was originally. Inside is the relic itself. It is a fragment of woven cloth in the middle of the chamber and surrounded by a darker cloth, surrounded by thick layers of fine white strands, most likely hair.

"It is an incomplete medieval or possibly early modern circular pendant in the form of a box with the inscription Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)," the coroner said. "It contains at least 10% precious metal," the coroner explained. "I commend Mr Mallows for finding it and in doing so he had permission from the landowner Malcolm Ratcliffe. I therefore record my conclusion that it is a treasure," he added.

The pendant is currently housed at Bristol Museum, however, interest has been expressed by Stroud Museum who are likely to purchase it. The reward will be split equally between the finder and the landowner. The value of the pendant has not been disclosed.

Roman Němec

Sources: bbc.com, glosnews.com

Side view of the decoration

Inside