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LOT 1357
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Entwined Serpent Mount
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (10.9 grams, 46 mm).
With openwork design of two serpents interlaced, each with billeted body and lentoid eyes, ropework border to the shorter sides; old collector's accession numbers to the underside '91.115' and '15871'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK collection formed 1970s-1990s.
Ex property of an English gentleman.
Cf. West, S., A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Finds From Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology 84, Ipswich, 1998, item 56(2), for type.
FootnotesThe decorative pattern of this mount is similar to what, according to S. West, is an Anglo-Saxon die found in Suffolk, where legless animal forms are represented lying head to tail, with beaded bodies within a beaded border. Also here the animals are showing interlaced jaws and headed bodies, all contained in a border.
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LOT 1357
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Entwined Serpent Mount
Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)
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Late Anglo-Saxon Prick Spur with Urnes Style Mythical Beast
Circa 1030-1100 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
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.
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. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Mythical Beast Shield Mount
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
With punched outline to the body and legs, gilded head with open jaws and raised cell eye; attachment studs to the reverse. 10.2 grams, 60 mm
Found near Grimsby, UK, circa 2015.
A number of similar mounts, probably from shields or possibly saddles, have been found in England, notably the beast from grave 26 at Bergh Apton (Norfolk) where the animal depicted may be a bear. -
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.
