Mid-Argyll -
18
Brooch Moulds
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Site/Artefact
Brooch Moulds
Type
Stone Moulds
Site
Number
National Grid
Reference
1837 East
6935 North
Map (
1:25000)
Ordnance Survey Explorer No
358
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Bird-headed brooch-mould
from Dunadd

Replica of the product of
such a mould
|
Excavation Details
Not Available
Description
Much evidence of metalworking
has been found at Dunadd, including more than 200
crucibles. Among the evidence of wealth
and high-status goods used and produced at this
power centre is a collection of dozens of fragments
of brooch moulds. Most of these moulds would have
produced modest, but nevertheless luxurious
jewellery, such as seventh century bird-headed
brooches
But a few fragments show that much larger and
more magniifcent pieces were produced.
The moulds can be dated, by stratigraphy, to the
seventh century - a date rather earlier than that
conventionally ascribed to the beginning of the
production of large brooches.
The significance of these mould-fragments, not
very impressive at first sight, can be better
grasped when one sees the kind of ornament that
they were designed to produce. With a diameter of
nearly 10 cm, the mould would have produced
something approximating to the somewhat larger
Hunterston Brooch.
Access/Ownership
In National Museum of Scotland
References
- Allan Lane & Ewen Campbell, Dunadd:
an Early Dalriadic Capital, 106 - 125
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