Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0316
Anglo-Saxon Bifacial Limestone Monumental Cross Arm with Interlaced Panels
CIRCA 9TH CENTURY A.D.
11 7/8 in. (5.67 kg total, 30 cm high including stand).
Portion of a lateral arm or head from a monumental cross of the Mercian Group with scoops at the junction with the shaft; Side A: a panel of dense knotwork within a raised border; Side B: a panel of coiled tendrils enmeshing the stems with vine-leaf finials; tooling and other marks to the undecorated faces; outer face (end): shallow incised cross.
Provenance
Acquired in the 1980s.
Ex S. Sherlock collection, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11891-205888.
Literature
Cf. Murray, J., The Arts in Early England, Volume 1, London, 1921, p. XIV, showing Ruthwell cross with this type of 'winged' arm, made clearer in sketch form on p.117; cf. Murray, J., The Arts in Early England, Volume 2, London, 1937, pl. CVI, for similar form at Cropthorne; Cramp, R., New Directions in the Study of Anglo-Saxon Sculpture, in Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society, vol 64, 2010, fig.5, for a similar cross at Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire.
Footnotes
The lateral scoops form a partial round hole, one of four which give these crosses their characteristic form.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0316
Anglo-Saxon Bifacial Limestone Monumental Cross Arm with Interlaced Panels
Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,400
RELATED LOTS
-
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Of Hines's Group XX with square headplate bearing concentric bands of billets, undulating lines and punched points, with vesica motifs to the upper corners; thick shallow bow with central rib, isosceles triangle footplate with horse-head lappets and flanking lobes with concentric rings, ropework bands and central vesica, disc finial with ropework border; pin-lugs to the reverse and broad catch. 136 grams, 13.5 cm
Found near Grimsby, Humberside, UK, circa 2010.
The brooch shows a restrained use of low-relief detailing confined to largely geometric features other than the horse-heads at the shoulders and the single facing mask on the headplate above the junction with the bow. The bow itself is very thick and displays a prominent median rib with just a suggestion of outer ribs. The mineral deposits on the reverse bear the imprint of the textile to which the brooch was attached. -
Late Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Enamelled Brooch with Cross
Circa 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
With circular frame enclosing a cloisoné enamel cruciform design in shades of blue and white, six radiating lobes to the rim each with an enamel fill. 5.65 grams, 25 mm
Acquired 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection. -
Saxon Bronze Strap End Collection
Circa 8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Comprising mainly Thomas's Class A Type 1, some with beast-head finial. 45 grams total, 30-49 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
