This spectacular silver-gilt object is a mystery. The shape suggests it could have been a lid with a little loop to enable it to be tied to something else. Possibly a perfume bottle or needle case which would make it a feminine item for this period. The finely decorated surface shows three pairs of fantastic beasts and demonstrates the high skill of a Saxon craftsman. Some of the lines are inlaid with niello – a silvery black substance. The decoration is very similar to that on objects found in Lincolnshire.

The mount was found by a metal detectorist and pieced back together by conservators following acquisition.

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This mercury-gilded mount is possibly from a book. It has openwork interlace decoration and animal heads with beady eyes which can be seen when viewed from above.

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Silver-gilt with enamel and niello decoration featuring interlace and intertwined beasts. This intricately crafted, high-status object would have been mounted on the end of a sword handle.

During conservation it was discovered that this object had a green substance inside some of the cells. This was scientifically analysed and found to be probable enamel which is unusual on an Anglo-Saxon sword pommel. The only other known examples are in the Staffordshire Hoard. The enamel may have been red originally, perhaps imitating garnet.

The pommel is also decorated with niello – a silvery black substance which would have required a different melting temperature to the enamel - a manufacturing nightmare which was overcome successfully by the Anglo-Saxon metalworker.

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This object is probably a bead or suspension loop from a bracteate pendant or similar item of jewellery. It would appear that it has been lost after being damaged or possibly it was deliberately broken up for re-use.

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A gold bracteate is a high-status pendant which would have been worn on a necklace containing other precious beads. This one shows a man holding a drinking horn.

Bracteates appear to have developed from pendants made from late Roman and Merovingian coins. Some of the finest examples were made by the Anglo-Saxons and feature gold coins. The name comes from the Latin for leaf, 'Bracta' a reference to its thinness. It would have been made using a metal 'die' and the pattern would have been hammered onto the object.

This bracteate was made using the same template as the other bracteate on display from Hoby. It is probable that they were made by the same person, possibly in the Melton area. This is important as it is thought that the majority of them were imported from Scandinavia.

When it was found the Scalford example was unique as it was the only object from early medieval England to show a drinking vessel.

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A gold bracteate is a high-status pendant which would have been worn on a necklace containing other precious beads. This fragment shows a man with a drinking horn.

Bracteates appear to have developed from pendants made from late Roman and Merovingian coins. Some of the finest examples were made by the Anglo-Saxons and feature gold coins. The name comes from the Latin for leaf, 'Bracta' a reference to its thinness. It would have been made using a metal 'die' and the pattern would have been hammered onto the object.

This bracteate was made using the same template as the other bracteate on display from Scalford. It is probable that they were made by the same person, possibly in the Melton area. This is important as it is thought that the majority of them were imported from Scandinavia.

Find out more about this object on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database.

A type of copper alloy brooch worn by all levels of society. The Anglo-Saxons brought this style of brooch with them from the Continent and these styles later developed over time in England.

The positioning of cruciform brooches in Anglo-Saxon graves can suggest how they were worn in life: two brooches at the shoulders pointing up, two brooches on the chest pointing down and one brooch on the chest pointing across.

During pond-digging in 1823 Anglo-Saxon urns and grave goods were found at Stapleford Park, Saxby. During the construction of the railway in 1891 further burials and a large quantity of finds were recorded (both inhumations and cremations).

This is an extremely high-status gilded copper alloy brooch.

The Anglo-Saxons brought this style of brooch with them from the Continent and these styles later developed over time in England.

During pond-digging in 1823 Anglo-Saxon urns and grave goods were found at Stapleford Park, Saxby. During the construction of the railway in 1891 further burials and a large quantity of finds were recorded (both inhumations and cremations).

A simple type of copper alloy brooch worn by all levels of society.AD 4

This is an extremely high-status gilded copper alloy brooch. This is the most common brooch style found in high-status female graves in the 5^th and 6th centuries.

The Anglo-Saxons brought this style of brooch with them from the Continent and these styles later developed over time in England.

During pond-digging in 1823 Anglo-Saxon urns and grave goods were found at Stapleford Park, Saxby. During the construction of the railway in 1891 further burials and a large quantity of finds were recorded (both inhumations and cremations).

A type of copper alloy brooch worn by all levels of society. The Anglo-Saxons brought this style of brooch with them from the Continent and these styles later developed over time in England.

The positioning of cruciform brooches in Anglo-Saxon graves can suggest how they were worn in life: two brooches at the shoulders pointing up, two brooches on the chest pointing down and one brooch on the chest pointing across.

A type of copper alloy brooch worn by all levels of society.

A type of copper alloy brooch worn by all levels of society that developed from Iron Age and Roman bow brooches.

A strap end was attached to the end of a piece of leather or fabric strap attached to a garment. It has two rivet holes at the wide end and an animal-like terminal at the other. The central panel shows a beast. The broad end is split to take a leather strap.

The decoration on this stirrup strap mount would have shown a writhing serpent. This piece would have secured the leather straps to the metal stirrup. It is the first of its type to have been found in Britain, with only one other example known in France.

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A strap end was attached to the end of a piece of leather or fabric strap attached to a garment. This example has interlace decoration but also an 'animal snout' with flat ears behind. There are two circular perforations for attachment to the strap.

This copper alloy would join together the straps on a horse bridle.

Copper alloy gilded disc brooch featuring two intertwined 'S' shaped beasts.

Kindly loaned by Denis Wells

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This gold ring is squashed and missing its setting but it is still easy to imagine its once magnificent appearance. It is unlike other Anglo-Saxon rings of the period, so is probably European. It bears a resemblance to Ottonian metalwork so may have come from what is now Germany.

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This would have been used to secure leg strapping, worn by men instead of socks.

This type of pendant was worn on a necklace in combination with other beads or pendants. The most sumptuous example to survive from the period is the necklace from Desborough, Northamptonshire which is displayed at The British Museum.

Bulla pendants were introduced to England in the 7th century AD as part of the wider imitation of Late Antique jewellery styles.

Found by metal detectorist Phil Harding who self-records his finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Image © Phil Harding

Find out more about this object on the Portable Antiquities Scheme website.