Anglo-Saxon Bronze Long Brooch

Including dagger-chape with ring finial, garter buckle, strap end and other items, among which an important specimen of buckle D33. 49 grams total, 12-43 mm



From old Cheshire and Nottinghamshire private collections. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Type D33 of Eastern Roman buckles, dated to the second half of 6th century A.D., is formed with a solid, narrow, and long triangular fitting, which extends at the corners and is decorated with punched circular eyes. It has a triangular opening in the middle, and two transversely positioned pins on the underside. Their flat, oval bow, which widens towards the drift pin, is fitted with a stool-shaped thorn.

With highly decorative openwork border of Style I ornament to the headplate formed as a rectangular median plate with lateral wings, enhanced with punched-pellet detail to the sides and top edge of each; raised central square panel with incised rosette; to the middle of each edge a Style I human mask in plan, formed as a T-shaped brow-and-nasal with two pellet eyes, with pairs of Style I profile bird-heads with curved beaks; the bow deep with facetting at each end; the footplate rectangular with Style I lappets; transverse collar above a finial Style I human mask with complex beard below; pin-lugs and scar for catchplate to reverse. 52 grams, 12.3 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

Flat in section with large loop at the upper edge, eccentrically-placed vertical slot, pairs of lateral lugs and scoop to the (broken) lower edge; Williams's Type 1 harness or bridle fitting. 19.7 grams, 41 mm



Found Tuesday 1st April 2025 in Wenham Parva, Babergh, Suffolk, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SF-934ACA.