A new exhibition at the House of Manannan will explore the incredibly rich world of Manx treasure.
A showcase for the island’s extraordinary collection of treasures, Viking silver and gold from a thousand years ago will be displayed along with four-thousand-year-old Bronze Age jewellery.
The exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate these remarkable finds, hear more about the fascinating stories of their discovery and what they might tell us about the people who left them behind.
National Treasures
Some treasures will return to the Isle of Man especially for the ‘National Treasures’ exhibition.
These remarkable objects were all discovered prior to the founding of the Manx Museum and will be on loan from the British Museum in London.
This will mark the first time many of these original artefacts will be exhibited on the Isle of Man, offering the public a rare opportunity to see them in person.
Replicas of most items are currently exhibited in the Manx Museum, but the loan of the originals represents a significant cultural moment for the Island.
Archaeology
Allison Fox, Manx National Heritage Curator for Archaeology said: “Among the highlights is a Gold Disc dating from around 2500–2000 BC, discovered on the Isle of Man in 1782. Crafted from thin gold foil with concentric circles of punched dots and two perforations, this piece is believed to symbolize the sun and would have been worn as a decorative item during the Bronze Age.
“The impressive Ballaquayle Hoard, a stunning collection of silver coins and silver and gold jewellery dating to approximately AD 970 will also go on display. Unearthed in 1894 during house foundation excavations, this hoard is the largest Viking Age treasure found on the Island. The reasons behind its burial remain a fascinating mystery.
“Further enriching the exhibition are neck-rings and arm-rings from around AD 930, discovered in a marl pit in 1868. These finely crafted pieces, made with plaited and twisted silver wires, showcase the sophistication and artistry of Viking Age craftsmanship, challenging the common perception of the Vikings as merely violent warriors.”
John Stokes, Head of National Programmes at the British Museum said: “We are delighted to be lending objects to this significant exhibition of Manx Treasure. The British Museum is deeply committed to sharing the collection as widely as possible.
“This exhibition demonstrates the value of national loans and we are thrilled to be able to help colleagues at the House of Manannan to connect visitors to these important treasures first-hand.”
‘National Treasures’ opens at the House of Manannan in Peel today.
