File:Early Medieval Pyramid Mount (FindID 538684).jpg

English: Description: Early Anglo-Saxon pyramidal mount made from silver and inlaid with niello, in the shape of a truncated four-sided hollow pyramid with a strap bar on the underside. On each of the four sides and on the apex there is geometric decoration of engraved lines inlaid with niello. On the top is a square with a short line leading inwards about a third of the way down opposing faces, forming a square S shape in the silver. Those on the sides comprise two pairs of designs on opposing faces. Each face is outlined with a nielloed border; one design also has a central vertical line cutting through two horizontal stepped lines forming a battlement pattern. The other design has an inverted T at the base, with a vertical line connecting the centre of the upright stem to the centre of the upper horizontal border line, and two oblique lines connecting the upper corners of the cross-piece of the T to the middle of the oblique border lines. Some of the niello is decomposed and some missing; there are occasional spots of iron corrosion.

An integral silver bar runs across the centre of the hollowed reverse; this is 2.5mm wide and flat in cross-section at either end, but thinner and narrower (1mm wide) towards the centre. The bar is slightly concave on the sides and reverse face, at least some of the concavity being due to wear.

Dimensions: 12.3 x 12.3 at base, 5.5mm in height. Weight 2.01g.

Discussion: The function of pyramidal mounts is still uncertain, but it seems likely that they were used to help secure the sword in the scabbard. Two were famously found in the high-status graves of Sutton Hoo Mound 1, but they are relatively uncommon grave finds. They are however common accidental losses, with 54 on the PAS database to date including this find (6 in gold, 20 in silver and 28 in copper alloy). See SUR-E6B3B4 for an example of a silver pyramid with a similarly narrowed bar.

This example is not quite like any other pyramid known, although many examples carry niello inlay. The stepped or zig-zag pattern is found on other artefact types, notably buckle plates and belt mounts, and is arguably an imitation of a cloisonné cellwork pattern (Adams 2011, 25-27). See BERK-1DF3D2 for another example of a silver sword pyramid with stepped or zig-zag faux cloisonné niello lines).

Date: Pyramidal mounts of this type were introduced in the early seventh century and continued in use for the rest of the century. During the course of the seventh century the pyramids become taller and their bases take on more various shapes, becoming circular, hexagonal and octagonal as well as square. The relatively low shape and small size of this example indicates a date in the first half of the century.