Anglo-Saxon Bronze Strap End Group

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: fragment of a lozenge brooch with chip-carved ornament; bifacial part of a buckle frame; beast-head finial from a strap-end (with later rivet hole); hooked fitting. 23.5 grams total, 19-76 mm



Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, collector. From his private collection since the 1970s; thence by descent circa 2000. Ex private collection of a Bedfordshire gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With a deep flange, chamfered inner ridge and eye-shaped motifs, second chamfered edge with a wide inner band of Style I bird motif decoration surrounding a central rivetted boss, catchplate and pin-lug to verso; signs of an academically interesting ancient rivetted repair to the outer flange; rare. 36 grams, 59 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Middle Aston, Cherwell, Oxfordshire, UK, on Wednesday 1st May 2024. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.OXON-B4DF83. 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.

Saucer brooches are a female Saxon fashion, contemporary with the Anglian penannular and cruciform types, normally worn at the shoulders to secure a tubular dress.