I Dig Sheffield | Digging Around Sheffield and the Peaks

Site name : Benty Grange
Site type : Burial site

Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Gold; Bronze; Metal
Object type : Grave goods; Personal item
Museum number : 1995.260

Once all the pieces of the replica Benty Grange boar were fitted together, it was ready for its final treatment. Gilding involves making a paste of gold and mercury. This was painted onto the boar and heated. It left a layer of gold on the silver and turned the iron a black colour. Again this contrast of colour is an important part of the design.

The final stage was to fit the boar to the top of the helmet. It is not clear from the surviving original helmet if the fixing plate was attached to the horn covering or to the iron frame. However, experiments during the making of the replica suggested that fitting the boar to the frame was more likely. The whole piece was too unstable when fitted to the two layers of horn. Also the legs appeared far too long in relation for the body. The fixing plate was therefore attached to the frame with the horn on top. This gives a much better appearance.

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Bibliography :
Bateman, T. , 1861
Bruce-Mitford, R. and Luscombe, M. R. , 1974

Related objects
Boar's eyes from replica Benty Grange helmet
Pieces of the boar from the replica Benty Grange helmet
The boar on the replica Benty Grange helmet
Necklace from Galley Low

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