Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist in Scotland to go on display for first time

Daily Record

21-06-2025

The rock crystal jar is part of a wider collection of items discovered in 2014 called the Galloway Hoard.
A Viking-age rock crystal jar, once owned by a mystery bishop is set to go on public display for the first time.
The artefact, previously owned by a bishop, was part of a hoard found by a metal detectorist is to go on public display for the first time later this year.
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It was buried near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway around 900AD, where it stayed hidden until a metal detectorist discovered it in 2014.
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The jar will go on show at Kirkcudbright Galleries on November 8, close to where it was found.
Standing 5cm high, the jar resembles a perfume bottle and is decorated with gold filigree.
It is believed to have had an ecclesiastical function within the Catholic Church, as the gold inscription written on the jar says 'Bishop Hyguald had me made'.
Because church records from the 9th century are patchy, researchers have struggled to identify Bishop Hyguald but believe he was likely a Northumbrian bishop.
Dumfries and Galloway was previously part of the medieval kingdom of Northumbria.
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A further translation of an Old English runic inscription from the arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'.
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The jar, found wrapped in linen, was carefully unwrapped over several months to avoid damage, which is why it's only now ready for display.
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Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard.
'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard.
'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.'
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Maureen Johnstone, chairwoman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, added: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright.
'Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries.
'I have no doubt the rock crystal jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.'
The Viking Age hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.