The Guardian has a fascinating article about the cleaning and conservation of an item
from the Galloway Hosrd, about which I have posted previously in The Galloway Hoard revealed and in Unpacking the Galloway Hoard
It is not clear if the hoard, buried it is thought about 900, was Viking loot or had been buried to protect it from suffering such a fate. The original provenance of the items that comprise the hoard may be either in what is now northern England or in southern Scotland or in some cases Ireland.
This newly publicised discovery is indeed remarkable, a small and exquisite carved rock crystal jar of Roman date which has been mounted in gold with a delicate mesh of wires enclosing the crystal.
This had been done at the behest of a Bishop Hyguald, who is otherwise unknown to history. The archaeologists appear to date the work to the late eighth or early ninth century, and the vase itself to being perhaps six centuries older.
Such a reuse of an ancient vessel is strongly reminiscent of the collection amassed by Abbot Suger at St Denis in the early twelfth century.
Both on the basis of its delicacy and obviously special nature and that it was found enclosed in the remains of a silk lined leather pouch, as well as it being an epuscopal commission I would definitely think it was used a Chrismatory. It is a comment on our times that the archaeologist describing it is given to vagueness, or reluctance, to regard it as a specifically liturgical object.
Along with the great Northumbrian manuscript tradition and the treasures that have survived associated with St Cuthbert at Durham this is a further reminder that the Anglo-Saxon church was splendid in its sacred objects and liturgy. It was not the historically inaccurate idea beloved of trendy modernising ecclesiastics and designers or of uninformed filmmakers who see the era as one of homespun vestments and crude vessels
The illustrated article can be read at ‘Extraordinary’ restoration of Roman rock crystal jar from Galloway hoard
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