This beautiful Anglo-Saxon gold buckle is a fitting new addition to the collections in our 50th anniversary year.
It is only one of four examples of a triangular plated buckle made in gold to have been found in England so far. It is significant as it is the most Northerly example. The others were found in the South East, at Taplow, Sutton Hoo and Prittlewell.
Each of the known buckles come from a grave with ‘Royal’ associations, which lead us to believe that the Burley example comes from a very high status burial.
It was found in 2016 with fragments of a copper alloy Coptic bowl and a beautiful gold pendant at Burley on the Hill in Rutland.
The finds were declared ‘Treasure’ through the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the museum was able to secure the buckle and bowl thanks to grants from the following organisations:
• Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund
• Art Fund
• Friends of Rutland County Museum & Oakham Castle
We are pleased to be able to announce that these items can now be seen on display at the Museum.