Casgliadau Arlein

Fragment of silver decorative mount, broken top and bottom.

The outline of the mount has the superficial resemblance to spoon handle terminals, but the figurative decoration is the wrong way round, and the cast is hollow on the reverse and clearly intended to sit against a flat surface.

The mount has a tapering form, widest the base of the main motif. This has the form of a crowned reliquary bust of a female saint with long hair, facing forward. The background is filled with asymmetrical vegetal scrolls, against a rusticated surface. Below the bust is a smaller triangular panel filled with what appears to be a winged figure, perhaps a supported angel with cherub-like features. Both figures are cast and raised, and the crowned ‘Mary’ is flanked by capital initials S and B (Saints Barbara, Bridget, Bertha, or ownership initials)