File:2018T930 (FindID 1014607-1120516).jpg

English: A late medieval silver pendant. The pendant is oval in plan with an integrally cast hoop which is D-shaped in cross-section (being flat to the inside surface). Around the oval, on the face of the pendant, repeated incised lines form a crimped edge. The central design is formed of four letters interspersed at 90 degree angles and divided by pairs of incised lines which are crossed at the top by double horizontal lines. The letters are in Lombardic text and, beginning from the top in a clockwise direction, read ‘A G A L’ which is intended to represent ‘AGLA’. The letters have the remains of a black substance in their recesses, which may be enamel or niello. The letters are orientated around a central oval which is formed of a raised border containing a roughened surface. This is likely to have originally been a setting, probably for for a gem or bead, which is now lost. 

The pendant is thin and curved, having been distorted over time whilst buried. The reverse is plain and flat. 
Discussion: The inscription ‘AGLA’ has amuletic significance, meaning 'Thou art mighty forever, O Lord'. (In Hebrew, Atha Gebri Leilan Adonai.) It was invoked as a charm against fever during the medieval period. This text has been recorded on multiple medieval pendants and finger-rings. The most common form of the AGLA pendant is quite different to the current example, being that of a silver cruciform with the letters engraved on a central flat circular plate, see for example 2018 T823 (HAMP-C1876C), 2018 T667 (NARC-6C3E6E), and 2017 T395 (YORYM-865B47). These are commonly dated from 1200-1400. No oval AGLA pendants of the same design and form as 2018 T930 have yet been identified, so there are no close examples with which this pendant can be compared. However, oval-planned pendants, which are much finer in material and decoration, can be found dating from the same period.  These include the two following examples. Firstly, 2013 T357 (DENO-5D69B7), an oval pendant set with a roman intaglio and engraved with the legend on the front ‘+ERIGERARI . AGLA . OZA’. Secondly, 2007 T126 (DOR-B80705), an oval pendant set with a green intaglio and engraved on the front with ‘+: A: G: + :L: + :A:’. This is now in the British Museum, registration number 2009,8002.1. Both cited objects have been dated from 1200 to 1350.
Given that all of these AGLA pendants are dated to a similar range, it seems likely that 2018 T930 dates from 1200-1350. However, as no close examples could be found the possibility of a later date cannot be entirely ruled out. 

Dimensions

Height: 19.5mm, W: 12mm, D (of oval part of pendant) 5mm, weight: 1.12g.