Anglo-Saxon Bronze 'Knife-Spoon'

Discoid and hollow to the reverse with raised rim and suspension hook base; panel of seven La Tène spirals with an enamelled field, commas between, central raised ring with three equally spaced millefiori glass inlays; extremely rare. 11.60 grams, 40 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Stathern, Leicestershire, UK, in February 2005. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Such mounts are found on hanging bowls mainly in 6th-7th century Anglo-Saxon princely or royal burials. They probably formed part of the so-called 'economy of prestige' in which decorative high-status tableware and feasting equipment circulated among the leading families of the various British and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. A number of these items have been found in 7th century burial mounds such as Sutton Hoo (Suffolk), Prittlewell (Essex) and Benty Grange (Derbyshire). The decoration and manufacturing techniques suggest an origin among the late Romano-British groups of western and northern Britain.

Comprising: ellipsoid central domed panel forming a bearded mask with impressed points to the pellet eyes, trumpet-shaped nose and deltoid moustache above a broad lower lip; above, curved suspension hook with horse-head detailing to the end and segmented mane; below, a triangular beast-head with narrow muzzle and ovoid ears, almond-shaped eyes. 8.47 grams, 45 mm



Found Sutton Fields, Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on 27 May 2005. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday incorrectly identified as Romano-Celtic. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Of broken kite shape with two foliate designs below running to the narrow hook, all features outlined by heavy groove infilled with niello, single piercing above. 0.68 grams, 20 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Robin Sykes at Sutton in the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on Monday 17 November 2003, recorded as Treasure by the finder and disclaimed by the Crown with Treasure Reference no.2004 T50. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of the Treasure Report by the Curator of Anglo-Saxon Collections, Department of Prehistory and Europe, at the British Museum. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.YORYM-580904. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Hooked tags were used for fastening a variety of dress articles, including garters. The present example is unusual in its shape, decoration and for having only a single piercing.