Gold necklace with 52 pendants
The chain, unique of its kind, consists of two approximately equal-length chain strands, which are divided into three sections by two rings. At the lower end hang two individual pendants, which differ in size from the other pendants, such as the central pendant, a smoky quartz sphere set in a cross-band mounting, on which two lions stand on either side of a mixing vessel; above them is a naked man in a dugout canoe, holding a paddle in his hands.
Further along, 50 miniature pendants are attached in pairs to rings on the chain at approximately equal intervals. Only the vine leaves and the two yokes at the ends of the two chain strands, as well as the trident, are single pendants. The symmetrical structure of the chain is emphasised by five vine-leaf pendants (a sixth is missing), which are also inserted between the pendants at regular intervals.
All pendants were produced with highly skilled craftsmanship using forging techniques and imitating, with astonishing accuracy and attention to detail, tools, implements, and weapons, although their interpretation is in some cases difficult and disputed (the numbering follows the illustration from left to right):
Double yoke
2/3. Anchor key / hook key
4/5. Clamp / drawplate
6/7. Tree saw / rasp
Vine leaf
9/10. Hook/sheet-metal shears
11/12. Cauldron fork / knife
13/14. Ploughshare / coulter
Vine leaf
16/17. Lance point / spear point
18/19. Mace? / Flat chisel?
20/21. Tool handle (working part broken away) / spade
Vine leaf
23/24. Short sword / sword arm
25/26. Hollow chisel / shield
Man in dugout canoe
Smoky quartz sphere
Trident (second pendant missing)
30/31. (Driving) hammer / stake anvil
Vine leaf
33/34. Throwing axe / mace
35/36. Hoop knife / adze
37/38. Tweezers / casting ladle?
Vine leaf
40/41. Sickle / pruning knife
42/43. File / smith’s tongs
44/45. Hammer / anvil
46/47. Sheep shears / ladder
48/49. Two awls?
50/51. Locking hook / socket key
Double yoke.
The miniature pendants appear to symbolically represent various occupational groups (agriculture, crafts, and military service). The smoky quartz sphere, together with the vine leaves, belongs to the world of the wine and vegetation god Bacchus–Dionysus, featuring the Greco-Roman motif of two predatory animals flanking a mixing vessel, and certainly has an amuletic character. This interpretation may also apply to the entire chain, understood as an object filled with power, capable of transferring its strength to the wearer and thus protecting them from harm.
The chain, which until now has usually been described as the “honour chain” or “chain of rank” of a Germanic prince, has recently received two new interpretations: as a female belt chain or as a chest (body) chain.
Because of the technical perfection with which both the carving of the smoky quartz sphere and the forged pendants were executed, the chain should be regarded as having been produced in Constantinople, or at least in a workshop organised by the Romans. A date as early as the second half of the 4th century AD appears possible, which would make the chain part of the older components of the treasure find.
Quantity
1
Weight
712.8 g
Length
176 cm
Material
Gold
Hoard
