Anglo-Saxon Bronze Long Brooch

With dentilled rim and profile bust with cross in imitation of a coin design. 8.2 grams, 28 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Comprising a rectangular headplate with outer band of Style I masks, raised border and inner panel of scrolls with two annular cells to accept inlay; shallow bow with raised median rib and corrugated surface, outward facing mask at each end; footplate with lateral lappets featuring profile horse-heads; median bar with central cell, lozenge panels with scrolled border and masks in the lateral lugs; mask at the lower end with raised triangle; scars from pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. 136 grams, 16 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12924-245112.

The brooch seems to belong to the group IV of the great squared brooches. Usually, they have a large 'rampant beast' in the footplate upper borders, and a large mask in the terminal lobe, of rather more varying pattern.

Broad headplate with flared arms. carinated bow and short footplate with transverse ribbing; pin-lug and part of catch to reverse; repaired from parts. 16 grams, 76 mm



From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collector established from the earlier 1960s.