New Staffordshire Hoard artefacts show breadth of breath-taking collection
Nineteen new artefacts from the largest and most valuable collection of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found are now go on public display for the first time.
Delicate filigree snakes, sword hilt collars, a silver sword pommel, helmet fragments and the possible inlay decoration from a drinking horn will be displayed at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent. The artefacts will sit alongside other breath-taking treasures from the Staffordshire Hoard, taking the number of 1,400-year-old gold and silver objects on display at the museum to 80.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for leisure and culture councillor Hazel Lyth said: “These new items demonstrate the scope of this incredible collection. We have finely designed filigree gold hilt collars from ancient swords; a gold mount featuring the shape of a bird’s head; and a forked fragment of gold with a hinge on the rear. We are still learning what many of these items are, why they were made and what they were used for.
“But we want as many people as possible to view these entirely unique treasures, to experience these marvels and share in the wonder of how they became buried in Staffordshire soil all those centuries ago.
“This is the first time these items will have been seen in public since the six and seventh centuries. It is a remarkable opportunity to view a unique piece of history.”
The new artefacts will sit alongside signature items from the collection at the museum including a gold strip with a biblical inscription, gold crosses and a dazzlingly detailed horse’s head.
The new treasures will also act as a catalyst to kick-start a campaign to raise money to conserve and research the Staffordshire Hoard. One of the options being considered is to create a trail that would link up the ancient kingdom of Mercia, to tell the story of the collection across the region.
Councillor Lyth said: “We need £1.7 million in order to understand and conserve these treasures. It is a massive amount of money, but it is crucial in discovering the origin of the hoard and unlocking the mysteries of the Dark Ages and of life in early Britain.
“The public has played such a pivotal role in donating money towards the acquisition of the hoard and we need that fantastic support to continue and for people to continue to give generously.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Birmingham City Council are joint owners of the Staffordshire Hoard, after a huge public campaign raised the £3.3 million to acquire the treasure in less than four months.
Strategic manager for museums Keith Bloor added: “We will continue to work hand-in-hand with Birmingham over the coming months and years to conserve and research the treasure.
“Together with Birmingham, we are in the process of recruiting conservators who will analyse the artefacts in minute detail. It is anticipated that the conservators will be in post by October, and we will be looking to do some of the conservation work in public for people to view.”
The treasure was discovered 12 months ago by an amateur metal detector enthusiast in a farmer’s field in south Staffordshire. The finder and landowner agreed to split the £3.3 million equally.
Details of how to continue to contribute to the fundraising campaign are available at www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/hoard, www.bmag.org.uk/support-us or through The Art Fund at www.artfund.org/hoard.
