Anglo-Saxon Bronze Sword Scabbard Mount with Woden and Ravens

5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (6.52 grams, 31 mm).

Flat plaque formed as a facing mask with triangular beard extending from beneath the nose, two lateral curled arms each ending in an avian head; attachment holes and voids; back strap absent. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Found Flordon, Norfolk, UK.
From an old private collection of Norfolk, UK, gentleman, formed since 1998.

Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-805A2A.

Literature

Cf. Menghin, W., Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter, Stuttgart, 1983, item 91.

Footnotes

The facing male mask flanked by birds of prey is believed to represent Woden, the war-god, with ravens on his shoulders; this motif appears later in Scandinavia as Oðin with his ravens, Huginn and Muninn.

CONDITION

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LOT 1747