Sutton Hoo Artifacts at the British Museum

Introduction

• Location: British Museum, London
• Exhibition: English history galleries, Sutton Hoo artifacts
• Time period: Early 7th century, Anglo-Saxon period

Context

• England divided into kingdoms during this period
• Burial site assumed to be of a royal figure, possibly King Redwald
• Wealth and craftsmanship indicative of royal status

Key Artifacts

Purse Lid

• Reconstruction with original gold, garnets, and glass
• Original background likely bone or wood (walrus ivory)
• Intricate, detailed knotting of forms: interlacing animal style
• Abstract designs on top; figures and animals on bottom
• Central motifs: eagle attacking a smaller bird like a duck
• Techniques: inlaid garnet, millefiori ("a thousand flowers") glasswork, cloisonne (gold strands enclose glass or garnets)

Shoulder Clasps

• Possibly held armor in place
• Large rectangular fields filled with stepped rhomboids
• Use of gold leaf and foil to enhance reflection
• Techniques: granulation (fusing tiny gold granules), interlaced serpents with blue glass eyes
• Resemblance to designs in later medieval manuscripts

Archaeological Context

• Discovered at Sutton Hoo in East Anglia
• Imprints of a large ship used for ceremonial burial
• Body and ship remnants destroyed by acidic soil
• Gold artifacts preserved

Historical Context

• Anglo-Saxon period: between Roman rule and Norman invasion (1066)
• Anglo-Saxon name derived from Angles and Saxons (migrated from northern Germany and southern Denmark)
• Evidence of early Christianity in grave goods (engraved bowls, spoons with names Paul)

Cultural Significance

• Artifacts demonstrate extensive trade and connectedness of Britain
• Garnets from Sri Lanka, Byzantine silver platter, bitumen from Syria
• Sutton Hoo jewelry among the most sophisticated in early medieval Europe