---
title: The Sutton Hoo Great Gold Buckle
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5100/the-sutton-hoo-great-gold-buckle/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Sutton Hoo Great Gold Buckle

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![The Sutton Hoo Great Gold Buckle](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5100.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5100.jpg)

## Image Caption

The Great [Gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) Buckle from the Sutton Hoo Ship-[burial](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) Mound 1, [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/), UK. Early Anglo-[Saxon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/), early 7th century.

The British Museum, London.

Its form with curved sides and 3 domed bosses resembles Frankish buckles. The plate is a hollow box that opens at the back and locks using 3 movable sliders. Buckles with similar mechanisms are known from the Frankish realm and other parts of the Continent. They probably contained Christian relics, and perhaps the Sutton Hoo buckle held something precious too. Made using over 400 grams of gold, its intricate decoration shows 13 intertwining creatures inlaid with niello (a black [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/) alloy). The Sutton Hoo buckle is a superlative example of this type of animal ornament, which was popular with many Germanic people at that time.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, May 12). The Sutton Hoo Great Gold Buckle. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5100/the-sutton-hoo-great-gold-buckle/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Sutton Hoo Great Gold Buckle." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 12, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5100/the-sutton-hoo-great-gold-buckle/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Sutton Hoo Great Gold Buckle." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 May 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5100/the-sutton-hoo-great-gold-buckle/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 12 May 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.