Anglo-Saxon Bronze Disc Brooch with Regardant Beast

Comprising a D-section hoop and discoid bezel with incuse lion walking right, similar to Anglo-Saxon coins of King Eadberht of Northumbria. 3.38 grams, 19.76 mm overall, 16.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Although the main themes represented on the bezels of Dark Ages rings were inspired by Christian themes, sometimes images of animals were also depicted. The lions were connected with Biblical interpretations and episodes in Byzantium as well as in the West.

Discoid in plan with low-relief regardant beast within a beaded border, lug and catch to reverse. 8.09 grams, 28 mm



Found Norfolk, UK.

Discoid in plan with pin-lug, chord, pin and catch to the reverse; applied rim secured by four domed rivets; low-relief hexafoil motif with interstitial ring-and-dot motifs, segmented border. 16.9 grams, 48 mm



Found Cambridgeshire, UK. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman.

Applied brooches are a recognised form of early Anglo-Saxon costume, associated mostly with Saxon areas such as Sussex and the Thames valley. The majority of such brooches are made up from a plain backplate with the pin and catch attached, and a thin front plate with repoussé ornament. The present example appears to be formed as a decorative body with an applied rim; there is evidence for this construction technique in the form of two unassociated rims from a grave at Fairford (Gloucestershire) (MacGregor & Bolick, item 1.39).