ARCHEOLOGY

Yellow and ochre lead-glazed earthenware decorated with stripes, tear drops and flowers.

This jug was particularly used to serve wine. It has a rounded belly and a narrow neck decorated with ribbing.

Set of buckles for belts and ribbons.

The D-shaped, damascened* silver buckle fragment (2^nd from the left) is the only medieval object definitely dating from the 10^th century, and the oldest found in Penne.

* Small metal threads (silver, gold, copper) inlaid when cold with a hammer and forming a decoration inside another metal (iron, steel, copper).

Accessories used in dressmaking. An aglet is a small metal broach attached to the end of a shoelace, ribbon or to a cloth or leather belt or cord. It was used to fix and adjust the length of a range of military and civilian garments and prevent them from fraying.

* Needle with a hole pierced at the flattened top for the thread.

We can see two figures, Adam and Eve, with the Tree of Life in the centre.

Small bars with holes at each corner that went through the belt width-ways at regular intervals to prevent the material from folding up and for a decorative effect.

Full-length statues of Eckard II of Meissen and his wife Uta von Ballenstedt, 13^th century, Naumburg, Germany.

We can see the buckles on Eckard II’s belt.

This is a type of Jew’s harp that was found far and wide in Europe in the 14^th century. The ends of the blade, which is bent into a ring shape, are placed between the lips. A reed is inserted into the middle of the blade. The musician makes it vibrate with his index finger.

Due to its fine decoration and the rich materials (bone), this chest is thought to have been a wedding or courtship gift.

A chest with low relief decoration featuring holy figures and biblical scenes.

Underneath is a chessboard made of ebony and bone. The hinges and rings are made of brass

Six-sided dice marked with pointed ocelli*.

* A round pattern with the centre a different colour from the outer area.