I Dig Sheffield | Digging Around Sheffield and the Peaks

Site name : Benty Grange
Site type : Burial site

Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Metal; Gold; Gemstone
Object type : Grave goods; Personal item
Museum number : J93.1189

These black and white photographs of the Benty Grange boar's eyes were taken during conservation work in 1948. This was the first opportunity for archaeologists to see exactly how they were made. They were removed from the boar and examined. Their construction was simple but effective. Each eye socket is made of a gold strip, soldered together to form an oval. There is beaded gold wire around the top. The garnets forming the eyes are fitted into these settings. Beeswax was used underneath to fasten them to the sockets. The top edges of the gold setting are turned down to stop the garnets falling out. Each eye was then inserted into the body of the boar.

The eyes are an example of very fine workmanship. The garnet in each eye is only 6mm long, and the total length of the eye only 9mm. The combination of gold, garnet and beading was a particular favourite of the Anglo-Saxons. It is used on some of the finest examples of their work, such as the objects from the Sutton Hoo ship burial. It required specialist skills to make these objects. Only the wealthiest members of society could have afforded them.

Find out more...

Bibliography :
Bruce-Mitford, R. , 1974

Glossary:
Anglo-Saxon
Archaeologist
Garnet
Sutton Hoo

Related objects
Close up of boar on helmet from Benty Grange
The boar on the replica Benty Grange helmet
Gold and garnet disc from White Low
Watercolour showing the helmet from Benty Grange

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