La Tène Type I with integral pin and spring, expanding bow with integral catchplate and returned end with trumpet finial. 12 grams, 47 mm

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

Cf. similar item in the collection of the British Museum under accession number ML.1614.

With a ruff colour around its neck, the remains of an attachment rivet to the centre. 6.05 grams, 32 mm

‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

The penannular body formed with recurved terminals and graduated biconical bulbs. 366 grams, 16 cm

Ex old English collection.
London art market, 1980s.

Composed of a plaque with curved head of a swan. 53 grams, 65 mm

‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Opaque and amorphous in form, with a holed drilled slightly off-centre for suspension. 3.19 grams, 22 mm

UK gallery, early 2000s.

Of sub-triangular shape, incised segmented border; pierced. 2.24 grams, 31 mm

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

Of openwork form, each displaying the same zoomorphic design with large eyes. 36.5 grams total, 46 mm each

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

The T-shaped body with remains of the iron core, each of the arms with a series of three transverse ridges, the shaft with moulded Urnes style zoomorphic decoration comprising scrolling tendrils running down either side, each running up to a coiled projection on either side of the head, possibly depicting ears or horns. 28.9 grams, 55 mm

Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Mundford, Breckland, Norfolk, UK, by R.Humphrys.

Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.NMS-524F67.

See for similar spurs in PAS, nos. GLO-961A93, WILT-E1CDD0, BH-A1AFD3, SUR-301C41, SUR-C715A1; see also Williams, D., 'Two Late Saxon spur fragments from Sussex and Hampshire' in Medieval archaeology: Journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology, 2002, no.46, pp.115-117.

Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.NMS-524F67.

Artefacts such as these are dated to the 11th century and are thought to be Viking in origin, but were widely used by the Anglo-Scandinavians and remained a legacy for the Anglo-Saxon cavalry. Spurs of this type were used probably by the Saxons at the battle of Hastings in 1066.

The semi-circular head plate with suspension loop and two remaining loops to lower edge, both suspending chains with bell dangles (rattles absent). 21.1 grams, 64 mm

Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

With narrow bow, openwork headplate with flanking bird-shapes, pierced lappets and bulbous tongue-shaped footplate; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. 19.6 grams, 80 mm

From the collection of Alan Hardcastle, circa 2017.
Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.

Cf. Laszlo, G., The Art of the Migration Period, Coral Gables, 1974, p.127, for type.

Most of penannular form with decorative elements, including pierced terminals, expanded panels, faux-twisting and zoomorphic terminals. 120 grams total, 41-79 mm

Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

Scalloped circumference and repoussé central design, two remaining dangles. 8.67 grams, 90 mm

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