Rugby Art Gallery and Museum acquires medieval brooch discovered near Birdingbury

The gold and silver penannular brooch, believed to date from around AD 800, was unearthed in February 2023 and was declared 'treasure' under the Treasure Act 1996 due to its age and precious metals content.

But thanks to a grant from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum has now acquired the brooch, which has gone on display at the Little Elborow Street venue's Local History Gallery as part of the exhibition, A History of Rugby in 50 Objects.

The metal detectorist found the brooch in four fragments, with a pair of pieces comprising part of the brooch's silver frame - complete with inlaid gold decorative plates - and the other pair of fragments forming part of its silver pin.

Both the brooch's form and its gold filigree decoration suggest a connection with the Celtic metalwork produced in Ireland from the sixth to ninth centuries AD.

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "We're delighted Rugby Art Gallery and Museum has been able to acquire this significant find for the borough's local history collection, thanks to a generous grant from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.

"Together with the Tripontium collection which was recently donated to the museum on a permanent basis by Rugby Archaeological Society, it's been a wonderful few weeks in Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's 25th anniversary year."

The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund was established at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in 1881 to help regional museums, record offices and specialist libraries acquire objects relating to the arts, literature and history.

Each year, the fund awards grants to around 100 organisations, enabling acquisitions of more than £3 million to go ahead.

Leanne Manfredi, national programmes lead at the V&A, said: "The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund supports the purchase of a wide range of material for the permanent collections of non-nationally funded organisations in England and Wales.

"We are delighted that this early medieval gold and silver penannular brooch, found in Birdingbury, has been acquired by Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

"It will benefit audiences for years to come."

For more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk