Bracteate thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bracteate

1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is an electrotype copy of a gold bracteate (a round necklace pendant) which was found in 19th century excavations of Scandinavian grave mounds. Electrotypes and other kinds of cast were very popular at that time, as they allowed museums to show a wide range of objects which they did not own. The V&A actively sort out such casts. Some of these are now more accurate representations than the object which they copied, as some of the originals have suffered loss or damage since.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gilded copper electrotype set with garnet-coloured glass
Brief description
Gilded copper electrotype of a bracteate found in excavations in Scandinavia, Britain, 1860-1870.
Physical description
Disc of thin partly-gilded sheet metal set with five flat glass inlays arranged in a cross surrounded by applied filigree decoration. There is the front of a loop at the top.
Dimensions
  • Height: 39mm
  • Width: 34mm
  • Depth: 3mm
Summary
This is an electrotype copy of a gold bracteate (a round necklace pendant) which was found in 19th century excavations of Scandinavian grave mounds. Electrotypes and other kinds of cast were very popular at that time, as they allowed museums to show a wide range of objects which they did not own. The V&A actively sort out such casts. Some of these are now more accurate representations than the object which they copied, as some of the originals have suffered loss or damage since.
Collection
Accession number
533-1873

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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