Anglo-Saxon Bronze Long Brooch

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.

Openwork appliqué comprising a horizontal panel with chip-carved undulating bar, above, the arched neck of a bird with hooked beak and circular cell for the eye, the beak connected to a vertical claw; beneath, body curved into a loop with the leg joining the median panel below the claw, lateral pierced attachment spur; eye with calcareous fill. 3.27 grams, 40 mm



Found Bishopstone, Seaford, Lewes, East Sussex, UK, in 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUSS-33C6E1.

Triangular in plan with low-relief beast-head finial, Trewhiddle Style reserved speckled beast; upper end absent. 3.47 grams, 28 mm



Found Yorkshire, UK.