A rare gilded Anglo-Saxon cross that may have belonged to a church leader has been acquired by the Leeds Museums and Galleries. The cross is was made of solid silver completely covered with a thin layer of gold leaf. Both sides are decorated with characteristic Anglo-Saxon interlace that date it to the 8th century.
The cross is 37mm (1.46″) wide, 29mm (1.41″) wide and 6mm (.24″) thick. One arm is missing, as is a gemstone that was originally set in the center of the cross. A ring made by twisting two strands of metal together that was the setting for the stone is all that remains. The arms are all decorated individually with different patterns. There is no suspension loop on the remaining arms, but there is no evidence it was a pin either, so archaeologists believe it was a pendant and the suspension loop was on the missing arm.
Kat Baxter, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of archaeology, said: “The cross is beautifully decorated on both sides, which suggests it was designed to hang around the neck with the suspension loop on the missing arm. It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity.
“It was made at a time when Leeds was part of the Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria and, along with a number of other discoveries in the area, really helps us build a picture of the types of people who would have lived here during this time”.
A number of important Roman and Early Medieval have been found in Leeds and environs over the past few years. A Roman and Anglo-Saxon cemetery discovered in 2022 contained an intact lead coffin, a very expensive burial practice, and the young woman buried in it was wearing a bracelet, glass bead necklace and ring. In 2012, Leeds Museums and Galleries acquired the West Yorkshire Hoard, a group of seven objects dating to between 7th and the 11th centuries, five of which were gold and garnet jewelry of exceptional quality from the Saxon period.
Kat added: “All of these finds are part of a puzzle which together show that Leeds was home to high status, important individuals during the Saxon period, and this beautiful cross is the latest glimpse into the past.”
The cross will go on display at Leeds City Museum later this year.