Sutton Hoo Purse Cover
Factual Information:
From: Sutton Hoo ship burial, Suffolk, England
Period: 625 CE
Period: 625 CE
General Information:
This metalwork purse cover is an ancient Anglo-Saxon artifact recovered from a burial ship at Sutton Hoo, England. This purse cover would normally be attached to a leather pouch, acting as a clasp to keep it shut, which would hold coins. The leather has long since deteriorated away, leaving the purse cover behind. This lid consists of many different animals. This is normal for Early Medieval artworks like this, which are small and easy to carry around, like most other artwork from extreme Early Middle Ages. On the artwork their are two depictions of two wolves devouring a man, as well as two more symmetrical figures, a Eagle swooping down on its prey. To the ancient Anglo-Saxons, these figures must have had some symbolism or meaning behind them, which are hard to determine as we have no documentation for them.
Why This Artwork?
This artwork was chosen because of the signifigance of the founding of it. Because the ancient people who made this artwork left little artwork, and no writing, this is a very rare item that offers a glimpse into what might have been signification to them, as well as what their art was like.