A solid gold neck ring with a rosette-shaped fastening with moulded almandines (type of garnets). It was probably made in one of the Greek cities on the northern coast of the Black Sea. It represents the polychrome style which was popular among the Hunnic elites. It also indicates affinity with the horizon of Childeric’s grave from Tournai in today’s Belgium.
The necklace probably belonged to a member of the nomadic Hunnic aristocracy and could have been part of the richly furnished, but unfortunately destroyed, inhumation burial located nearby. This object, just like the finds from Jędrzychowice, could indicate that the southern part of the Przeworsk Culture was under the influence of the Hunnic Empire in Pannonia.
Found in the field in the village of Rędzin (today’s part of Wrocław) in 1888. During a field survey of this area conducted by German archaeologists no objects were found. The artefact was first passed to Konigliche Museum in Berlin, then to Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte. Presumably it is currently in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. There is a faithful copy in the collection housed in the Wrocław Museum of Archaeology which was made shortly after the discovery.
Chronology:
the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th century AD
Museum collection:
the Museum of Archaeology, branch of the City Museum of Wrocław
by P. Madera
