Casgliadau Arlein

A medieval silver decorative plaque (1150-1250AD).

The plaque is formed from a thin sheet of silver which is decorated using the repoussé technique, where the metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. The plaque is fragmented, now in five separate fragments: one large fragment, plus four additional fragments. At the centre of the larger fragment is a standing male figure in a naturalistic style, his head turned slightly to his left, and most likely representing a religious or regal figure. His left hand is held out with the palm facing the viewer. In his right hand he holds a sceptre which rests on his right shoulder. The central figure is surrounded by a double relief border, comprising a beaded border (closest to the figure), and a plain raised border. The whole object appears to have a scalloped edge (smaller fragments).
At the lower left corner of the object there is evidence of a small circular rivet hole. The reverse of the object is rough and undecorated. Towards the top of the main fragment there is a narrow strip of horizontal metal fixed at both ends that presumably provided a means of attachment for the object.

Although fragmentary, the presence of the rivet hole and narrow metal strip on the reverse suggest the plaque may have been attached to a box.

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