This image depicts a dress pin in bronze from a Norwegian-style grave group found on the Isle of Lewis in northern Scotland, dated between 875 and 925 AD. It is not at all unexpected to find such a pin in that area – the northernmost reaches of Scotland were under Norwegian control between the 8th and 15th centuries. As a result, Norse pins and other base-metal jewelry would undoubtedly have appeared in graves in northern Scotland at this point in time.

Now, while the piece is bronze, as opposed to silver or gold, that does not in any way mean that the person – likely a woman – buried here was not of high status. This particular period of time was marked by a major increase in the manufacture and use of base-metal jewelry and a corresponding decline with regards to precious-metal jewelry.¹ Numerous explanations have been put forth for this – one rather likely one is a change in the attitudes of those of high social status; availability was most likely not a major issue in this case, as even after Charlemagne’s death, Norse raids continued through Louis the Pious’s rule, with numerous precious metals as plunder. As such, we cannot ascribe the abundance of base-metal pins like these to a lack of availability of precious metals.

This brooch, in particular, bears similarity to other Celtic brooches such as the famous Tara Brooch – albeit that one is far more ornate than this one, it still has the same general structure. This pin is, stylistically, Irish – though similar pins have been found in Britain as well. As such, it not being of Norse style, we can assume that this was a plundered – or traded – treasure, thus fitting in with what we know of grave goods – and making it clear that this person is one of high status amongst her group.

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