Leeds Museums and Galleries has acquired a rare gilded Anglo-Saxon cross, thought to have belonged to a church leader. Crafted from solid silver with gold leaf, the 8th-century cross features rich interlace decorations. Though one arm and its gemstone are missing, it reflects significant craftsmanship potentially used as a necklace pendant for someone of high status. This acquisition adds to the growing understanding of Leeds' historical context during the Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria, supported by other archaeological finds in the region, such as a cemetery containing expensive burial artifacts.
The cross is beautifully decorated on both sides, which suggests it was designed to hang around the neck... It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status.
This cross... helps us build a picture of the types of people who would have lived here during this time.
The arms are all decorated individually with different patterns, indicating significant craftsmanship typical of the Anglo-Saxon period.
A Roman and Anglo-Saxon cemetery discovered in 2022 contained an intact lead coffin, a very expensive burial practice.
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