A rare piece of early medieval history has been secured for display in an English museum, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. The Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pyramidal sword mount, dating back to the seventh century, will soon be part of The Novium Museum’s collection in Chichester, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to the public.
The museum’s efforts were supported by the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, a donation from the landowner, and contributions from the local community. A final £9,000 was raised through a crowdfunding campaign, with 166 donations and an offline contribution exceeding the target. Surplus funds will go towards the conservation and display of the artifact.
“This has been a true community effort, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who supported our campaign to keep this rare treasure in the Chichester District,” said Councillor John Cross, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, and Place at Chichester District Council.
“As our first crowdfunding campaign, the public response has been remarkable — not only in monetary donations, but also in terms of the kind messages we received and support from those who have shared our campaign. We extend a special thank you to our anonymous donor for their incredible generosity.
“Acquiring the Stopham mount into our collection will be an invaluable resource for our local residents, researchers, and school groups, helping us delve into Saxon history with new depth and understanding. It is so exciting to be able to keep this local treasure within the Chichester District and display it for the local and wider community to enjoy.”
Discovered in 2022 near Stopham in West Sussex, the sword mount is one of only two known examples from the region. The first, acquired by The British Museum in 1981, was incomplete, making the Stopham mount particularly significant.
Measuring 16.14 mm in height, the mount was likely attached to a strap securing a sword to its scabbard. Its intricate gold design features garnets mounted over waffle-stamped gold foils, showcasing the craftsmanship of the early medieval period.
With the funds secured, plans are underway to bring the mount to The Novium Museum, where it will undergo conservation before being displayed. The museum’s Saxon history gallery, which is free to visit, will offer visitors a chance to view this extraordinary artifact up close.
Further updates on the mount and its display will be shared on the museum’s website.
Top Image: Photo courtesy Chichester District Council
A rare piece of early medieval history has been secured for display in an English museum, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. The Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pyramidal sword mount, dating back to the seventh century, will soon be part of The Novium Museum’s collection in Chichester, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to the public.
The museum’s efforts were supported by the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, a donation from the landowner, and contributions from the local community. A final £9,000 was raised through a crowdfunding campaign, with 166 donations and an offline contribution exceeding the target. Surplus funds will go towards the conservation and display of the artifact.
“This has been a true community effort, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who supported our campaign to keep this rare treasure in the Chichester District,” said Councillor John Cross, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, and Place at Chichester District Council.
“As our first crowdfunding campaign, the public response has been remarkable — not only in monetary donations, but also in terms of the kind messages we received and support from those who have shared our campaign. We extend a special thank you to our anonymous donor for their incredible generosity.
“Acquiring the Stopham mount into our collection will be an invaluable resource for our local residents, researchers, and school groups, helping us delve into Saxon history with new depth and understanding. It is so exciting to be able to keep this local treasure within the Chichester District and display it for the local and wider community to enjoy.”
Discovered in 2022 near Stopham in West Sussex, the sword mount is one of only two known examples from the region. The first, acquired by The British Museum in 1981, was incomplete, making the Stopham mount particularly significant.
Measuring 16.14 mm in height, the mount was likely attached to a strap securing a sword to its scabbard. Its intricate gold design features garnets mounted over waffle-stamped gold foils, showcasing the craftsmanship of the early medieval period.
With the funds secured, plans are underway to bring the mount to The Novium Museum, where it will undergo conservation before being displayed. The museum’s Saxon history gallery, which is free to visit, will offer visitors a chance to view this extraordinary artifact up close.
Further updates on the mount and its display will be shared on the museum’s website.
Top Image: Photo courtesy Chichester District Council
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