Ornamental bracteate, Holy Roman Empire, 11th century
One of the few complete artefacts in the Övide hoard is a beautiful ornamental bracteate made of thin silver plate. Its original use is unknown, but two fastenings on the back suggest that it was mounted on something.
In the centre of the bracteate is a left-facing bust portrait within a beaded border. Around it we see the inscription OTTO GRA D REX. This is Latin and means “Otto, King by the Grace of God”. Similar inscriptions can be seen on coins minted in around 1000 for the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III. This bracteate was probably made in north-west Germany.
