Including one example accompanied by a Portable Antiquities Scheme record, the brooch with a rectangular head plate, arched bow and pelta-shaped foot; three additional brooches with transverse decoration. 63 grams total, 45-68 mm

Found Berkshire, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.BERK-A98971.

Composed of a facetted hoop with facetted terminals, stamped ring-and-dot ornament to each face, slender bands of pellets to the body, free-running pin with coiled head and facetted stem. 62.5 grams, 76 mm

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

With bulbous eyes and muzzle, hollow to the reverse. 8.14 grams, 37 mm

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

Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.91(6).

The discoid arm terminals and shallow circular motifs, suspension lug below and tapering pin. 13.6 grams, 11 cm

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

With sheet gold fittings and wire, knop finial. 4.71 grams, 36 mm

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

Mainly zoomorphic in form, including examples with remains of niello and enamel inlay, together with a mount displaying a central roundel featuring a geometric motif in silver inlay. 22.1 grams, 21-38 mm

Acquired on the UK market, 1990s.
Property of a retired academic.

With lozengiform plaque, pointillé detailing. 2.78 grams, 21.79 mm overall, 19.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)

Acquired 1970s-1980s.
From the collection of a German gentleman living in London.
Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection, since 2015.

Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.111(4), for type.

Consisting of part of the semi-circular headplate embellished with three radiating knops and a band of geometric swirls, arched bow with raised rib and boss. 7.88 grams, 35 mm

Found near Boxford, West Berkshire, UK, in 2001.

Accompanied by various correspondence with West Berkshire Council and the British Museum, including a letter disclaiming the brooch as treasure dated 22nd November 2001, BM Treasure case: 2001 T1.

Accompanied by PAS record id. PAS-D36287.

Published in Archaeology in West Berkshire 2001-2002, Front cover and p.11 (accompanied by an original copy of the publication).

The brooch is similar to Rhineland examples from Andernach and Bonn, Germany (H Kühn, Die germanischen Bügelfibeln der Völkerwanderungszeit in der Rheinprovinz(Bonn, 1940), Taf. 67: 6,3; 6,5; 6,6). However, a more ovoid form ending in an animal head is not impossible.

A Mordvinian omega-shaped brooch with pellet ornament and free-running tongue. 10.7 grams, 51 mm

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

Scandinavian pendant of Norelund type with integral suspension loop; the openwork plaque with three-band border and four panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping hands to the body and border, facing mask below the loop. 6.22 grams, 34 mm

Acquired on the German art market before 2000.
From an old Munich collection.

Cf. Korshyn, V.E., Yazicheskiye Priveski Drevniye Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Moscow, 2013, items K.1.02-04.

There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures, including Sigurð's fight with the dragon Fafnir.

Trefoil lobe with incised segment detailing and two holes to accept rivets. 7.94 grams, 35 mm

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

Cf. Hammond, B., British Artefacts vol.3 - Late Saxon, Late Viking & Norman, Witham, 2013, item, 1.6-l, for type.

With four voids forming the cross-potent motif to the centre, pierced lug suspension. 2.2 grams, 26 mm

Acquired 1970s.
From the private collection of a Northern Ireland gentleman.
Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.LVIII (19).