CHAIN

Unique ID: NARC-22EC08

Object type certainty: Certain Workflow status: Published

An incomplete Chain of late Roman date (AD 300-410). The object comprises the lower portion of the chain and one terminal. The chain terminates in one end in an irregular break. There are four individual links with beaks resulting in the loops projecting out slightly from the main cord of the chain. The opposing end retains a dolphin or swans head terminal.

The chain is of fine construction and is composed of a ‘plaited’ four sided (double) loop-in- loop construction. The lower terminal is zoomorphic and is composed of two sheets of gold, the lower plate is flat and attached to the upper by a perforating gold rivet at the upper end of the terminal. The upper plate is convex and forms a collar around the lower end of the chain. The collar has repeating raised decoration in the form of two raised lines with a beaded line between. This pattern is repeated three times with an additional raised line between each set. The terminal then flares out with a domed upper after which it tapers in to a rounded end, there are two short wires projecting from between the plates at the end of the terminal. These projecting wires would have formed an attachment loop for a clasp. There is some low relief on the domed upper portion of the plate which would have formed lobes to denote the head, eyes and nose. The terminal is worn and the details of the relief work are shallow and obscured.

Close parallels can be found from the Hoxne , and can be seen on the British Museums online catalogue: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1994-0408-3

And a similar style terminal can be found on the Cygnus spoons from the Hoxne hoard: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1994,0408-85

Museum number 1994,0408.3, and 1994,0408.85 date to the later Roman period (4th Century).

Another similar example for the chain and collared aspect of the terminal can be found on the British Museumsfinds.org.uk online catalogue from the Gallows Hill, Thetford Hoard: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1981-0201-33

Museum number 1981,0201.33 which dates to the 4th Century.

Both examples are necklaces, though the exact form of the full object cannot be guaranteed given the fragmentary nature of the find, it would likely have formed a necklace.

Bland & Johns. 1993, The Hoxne Treasure. An Illustrated Introduction.

Johns, C, 2010. The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Plate 3

Johns and Potter. 1983. The Thetford Treasure: Roman Jewellery and Silver Cat. 33. Length: 79.48mm, Width: 2.19, Width (terminal): 3.63mm, Thickness: 2.00mm, Thickness (terminal): 2.68mm, Weight: 2.20g

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Submitted for consideration as Treasure

Treasure details

Treasure case tracking number: 2021T380

Chronology

Broad period: ROMAN Subperiod from: Middle Period from: ROMAN Subperiod to: Late Period to: ROMAN Date from: Circa AD 300 Date to: Circa AD 410

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1 Length: 79.48 mm Width: 2.19 mm Thickness: 2 mm Weight: 2.2 g

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Treasure case number: 2021T380 Materials and constructionfinds.org.uk Primary material: Gold Manufacture method: Hand made Completeness: Incomplete

Spatial metadata

Region: East Midlands (European Region) County or Unitary authority: Northamptonshire (County) District: Kettering (District) Parish or ward: Dingley (Civil Parish) Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: SP7587 Four figure Latitude: 52.47578687 Four figure longitude: -0.89720905 1:25K map: SP7587 1:10K map: SP78NE Grid reference source: From finder Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: General landuse: Cultivated land Specific landuse: Character undetermined

finds.org.uk