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01.07.2021

Winchester Hanging Bowl

The Anglo-Saxon hanging bowl you describe is a remarkable archaeological find dating back to the late 7th or 8th century AD. It was unearthed in an Anglo-Saxon grave during an excavation led by local archaeologist W. J. Andrew at Oliver's Battery, near Winchester, in 1930.

This hanging bowl is crafted from beaten bronze and features intricate decorative elements. Inside and on the underside of the base, there are two spirally decorated enameled and tinned circles. Additionally, the bowl's rim boasts three more circles, each terminating in water bird-shaped hooks. The spiral patterns on the bowl are reminiscent of designs found in the Durrow Book, a late 7th-century manuscript housed at Trinity College Dublin. This similarity suggests that the bowl may have been obtained through trade, as a gift, or as a commission from a British or Irish metalworker.

The design of the hanging bowl appears to have been intentionally created to allow it to be filled with clear liquid so that the inner basal circle would be visible when in use. The presence of hooks for hanging suggests that it was likely suspended from the rafters, ensuring that the circle on the underside remained visible. In a Christian context, it can be assumed that the clear liquid held within the bowl was holy water, making it part of the "church utensils." Alternatively, one can imagine that this bowl was used as a display piece, showcasing treasures and their use during secular feasts in the Anglo-Saxon hall.

This Anglo-Saxon hanging bowl serves as a valuable artifact, shedding light on the cultural, religious, and social practices of the time, as well as the intricate craftsmanship of metalworkers in the region during this period.

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