With highly decorative openwork border of Style I ornament to the headplate formed as a rectangular median plate with lateral wings, enhanced with punched-pellet detail to the sides and top edge of each; raised central square panel with incised rosette; to the middle of each edge a Style I human mask in plan, formed as a T-shaped brow-and-nasal with two pellet eyes, with pairs of Style I profile bird-heads with curved beaks; the bow deep with facetting at each end; the footplate rectangular with Style I lappets; transverse collar above a finial Style I human mask with complex beard below; pin-lugs and scar for catchplate to reverse. 52 grams, 12.3 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

Comprising a rectangular headplate with outer concentric bands of punched points, inner of Style I animals, raised border, and inner panel of scrolls; bow with three raised vertical ribs; footplate with lateral lappets featuring profile horse-heads; median bar with punched points, lozenge panels with scrolled border and rounded lateral and finial lugs; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. 83 grams, 13.5 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12982-245110.

Comprising a rectangular headplate with a central trapezoidal panel, three radiating collared D-section knops; a deep carinated bow with chamfered step at each end; trapezoidal foot with lateral coiled lappets; gusseted collar and carinated horse-head finial with scrolled nostrils; ferrous mass to reverse with impressed fabric, catchplate. 68 grams, 12.6 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

Comprising a rectangular headplate with openwork masks to the outer edge, imprint of fabric to the central panel; shallow bow with three vertical ribs; lappets below the bow, footplate developing to a triangular facing mask with domed eyes and concentric triangles, openwork finial with pelta-shaped panel; pin-lug and catch with ancient repair to the reverse. 72 grams, 13.9 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

Discoid in plan with raised rim and inner ridge decorated with notches, six radiating arms with notch detailing and interstitial chevrons; central knop rivetted from reverse; remains of catch to reverse. 20.4 grams, 37 mm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

A finely crafted ring featuring a prominent square bezel adorned with stylised crucifixes, flanked by outward-facing birds with hooked beaks and large ring-and-dot eyes, the bezel set with a polished amethyst pebble; keeled decorative hoop with three integral collars at the base. 11.38 grams, 34.70 mm overall, 17.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12983-245992.

The Langobards (or Lombards) were a Germanic people who invaded and ruled much of the Italian Peninsula from 568 to 774 AD. Their kingdom, known for its fusion of Germanic and Byzantine artistic traditions, persisted until the Carolingian conquest under Charlemagne. A Bishop’s ring is a large, often ornate ring worn by bishops as a symbol of their office and spiritual authority. Traditionally, it signifies the bishop’s commitment to the Church and is considered a mark of his episcopal dignity.

Comprising a beaded wire suspension loop with two attachments: long-handled spoon with small bowl; rectangular-section pick with hooked end; each with a teardrop-shaped panel with beaded wire rim to each face, the outer ones each with an inset garnet cloison, the rear ones set with a glass cabochon. 23.11 grams, 11.4 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12913-244535.

A similar implement, silver and gold-plated, was found in the grave of a small child in Untersiebenbrunn, in Lower Austria. These are precious items that belong to the polychrome style of the 5th century Roman jewellery adopted by so-called ‘barbarians’.

Composed of an openwork discoid body with integral T-shaped tubular loop; raised gusseted rim enclosing a pair of S-shaped beasts with billetted bodies and comma-shaped tails, enmeshed gripping paws clutching the rim and their own bodies. 12.4 grams, 43 mm



Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Ex property of a German gentleman.

Despite the long period of overlap of Borre and Jellinge art styles, there are only a few examples of their fusion. The principal and most popular motif of the Borre style displays an animal with gripping paws, usually enmeshed in a circular frame, while a typical Jellinge style beast is more slender with a long, S-shaped body and ribbon decoration. The most famous example of a pendant featuring a fusion of these styles was found in a hoard from Vårby (Sweden), formed as a circle with a pair of Jellinge-style beasts with ribbon-shaped bodies in profile and heads with open jaws and extended tongues; however, each is provided with gripping paws and an enmeshed body, which are typical features of the Borre style. A few examples of these pendants were also found near the important trading settlement of Gnezdovo, near Smolensk, Russia.

Each link in the chain composed of three separate hoops, the equal-arm brooches with decoration in high-relief and remains of pin-lugs and catchplate to reverse. 252 grams total, 78 cm long



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Omega-shaped in plan with raised flange rim to both edges; bands of punched ornament to each face. 216 grams, 11.2 cm



Acquired on the UK art market, 1995-2000s. Private collection, London, UK.

Retaining an articulate pin to reverse and geometric detailing to each face. 37 grams, 48 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Featuring a squat cylindrical body, ornate cruciform motif to upper face, zoomorphic panels to the side wall; hollow-formed; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 93 grams, 53 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.