Strickland Brooch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strickland Brooch |
|
|---|---|
Strickland Brooch as displayed in the British Museum
|
|
| Material | Silver and niello |
| Size | 11.2 cm in diameter |
| Created | Mid 9th Century AD |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
| Registration | M&ME 1949,0702.1 |
The Strickland Brooch is a special piece of jewelry from the Anglo-Saxon time. It's a round pin, or "brooch," made of silver and a dark metal called niello. This brooch was made around the mid-9th century, which is over 1,100 years ago! Today, you can see it at the British Museum in London. Experts think it's a very important example of Anglo-Saxon art, even though we don't know exactly where it was found.
What Does the Strickland Brooch Look Like?
The Strickland Brooch is a round pin, about 11 centimeters (4.4 inches) wide. It is made from a thin sheet of silver. Dark metal called niello and shiny gold are used to create its detailed designs.
Artistic Style and Patterns
The brooch is covered in very detailed patterns. These designs show animal shapes, a style known as zoomorphic. You can see many dog-like creatures carved into the brooch. These animals are placed within a four-lobed shape, which is called a quatrefoil. The way these animals are drawn is part of a special art style called Trewhiddle style.
The Strickland Brooch looks a bit like another famous piece, the Fuller Brooch, which is also at the British Museum. Both are round and made of silver with niello. However, the Fuller Brooch has more human-like designs, a style called anthropomorphic.
Who Owned the Strickland Brooch?
For a long time, the Strickland Brooch was owned by the Strickland family. They lived in Yorkshire, England.
In 1949, a member of the family, Mrs. W. H. Strickland, decided to sell the brooch. It was bought by someone from America at an auction. However, the British government decided the brooch was too important to leave the country. So, it was not allowed to be exported. Instead, the British Museum bought it in the same year.
Today, the Strickland Brooch is considered a true masterpiece in the British Museum's collection of Anglo-Saxon art. It helps show how skilled English silversmiths were during the early Middle Ages.
