Anglo-Saxon Bronze Regardant Beast Brooch

Split along the upper edge of the plate; two slight flared lobes below the piercings for the attachment rivets; central panel ornamented with a length of tight interlaced knotwork and a zoomorphic terminal with triangular ears, bulbous eyes and a ribbed square snout. 8.44 grams, 37 mm



Found Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.

Both the interlace and the animal-head are drawn from the 7th-8th century manuscript tradition. This is a standard 9th century typology, seeming a nice version of the Trewhiddle style, closely allied to the early 9th century 'Tiberius' group of manuscripts, characterised by exuberant animals which are the descendants of the winged creatures and other sprightly beasts common in 8th century metalworks.

Of Hines's Group XIII with running scrolls on the headplate surrounded by a border of beast-masks, deep bow with raised ribs, curved horse-head lappets and lateral lobes with facing masks, median panel of Style I ornament; remains of ferrous pin to the reverse and deep catch; some silver detailing; finial absent. 77.9 grams, 11.5 cm



Found near Thetford, Norfolk, UK, circa 2010.

This brooch falls within Hines's Group XIII and shares many features with an example from Nassington, Northamptonshire. The headplate bears a raised rectangular frame (possibly silvered) separating the inner scroll motif from the outer band of animal-masks which are pierced along the inner edge; the lappets are also pierced at the point of junction with the footplate. The lateral lobes feature facing masks of a helmetted type similar to those featured on contemporary button brooches.

With a mounting stud at each corner; parcel-gilt surface with central reserved square filled with red enamel; cruciform motif, a scaphoid cell at each corner with red enamel fill, four interstitial panels with chip-carved Style I ornament. 19.8 grams, 31 mm



Found near Lakenheath, Suffolk, UK, circa 2012. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11892-204383.

The use of enamel is unusual in early Anglo-Saxon contexts, except in parts of East Anglia where it may have been preferred as an alternative to garnet cloisonné.