The Staffordshire Hoard - inspiration for embroidery

This is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever discovered and merits its own gallery in Birmingham Museum.  The collection of over four thousand objects was found in 2009 by a metal-detector user in rural Staffordshire, on a hill overlooking Watling Street, the old Roman road.

Sheila Conchie and Judi Brown visited the Museum a few weeks ago and felt very privileged to be able to see so many beautiful objects.  It is believed the hoard was hidden around 650 AD, by whom is not known.  Both Sheila and Judi felt that it offered limitless possibilities for textile artists, especially those wishing to design and produce gold or metal work.


Here is a computer-enhanced image of one of the pieces, believed to be a gold mount in the shape of a horse or seahorse's head.  The yellow lines suggest where parts of the item are missing:

This is a partly reconstructed piece, possibly fastened to the front of a shield or used to decorate a saddle, showing two birds of prey clutching a fish between them:

Not sure about this silver gilt object, but it is believed it may be a cheek piece from a helmet. Just look at the twisting animals:

This piece has been reconstructed by a modern master craftsman - doesn't it just shout 'goldwork' at you?

An amazing exhibition and well worth the journey to admire such intricately worked pieces which are over 1300 years old, showing extraordinary imagery and expertise.  And when you think that there was no machinery, no electricity.....  Master craftsmen indeed.