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Gloucestershire Business News

Silver pendant found by metal detectorist declared treasure

A 500-year old silver gilt pendant unearthed near Stroud earlier this year has been declared treasure by a coroner.

The mediaeval reliquary box pendant, made to hold small religious relics, was found by Swindon metal detectorist David Mallows, of the Wyvern Historical and Detecting Club, at Harescombe on May 29th.

An inquest in Gloucester last Thursday was told it dates back to between 1400 and 1540 and weighs 6.37grams. It measures 25mm by 6mm.

Reliquaries of various kinds, including pendants, were made in that period to hold physical remains of saints, such as bones or pieces of clothing.

They range in size from simple pendants or rings to coffin-like containers, to very elaborate ossuaries. Many were designed with portability in mind, often being exhibited in public or carried in procession on the saint's feast day or on other holy days.

The inquest was told that the pendant found by Mr Mallows is currently being housed at Bristol Museum - but Stroud's Museum in the Park has expressed an interest in acquiring it.

Dr Denise Wilding, treasure registrar at the British Museum, stated that the pendant qualifies as treasure because of its age - more than 300 years old - and its precious metal content.

"It is an incomplete mediaeval, or perhaps early post medieval, circular box pendant bearing the inscription Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)," said the coroner. "It contains a minimum of 10 per cent precious metal.

"I am satisfied that Mr Mallows found it and had the permission of the landowner, Malcolm Ratcliffe. I record the conclusion that it is treasure."

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