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LOT 1487
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Zoomorphic Strap End
9TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (8.44 grams, 37 mm).
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. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
LiteratureCf. Webster, L & Backhouse, J., The Making of England. Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600-900, London, 1991, p.98, fig.69n.
FootnotesBoth 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.
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'The Scampton' Published Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Florid Cruciform Brooch
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Of Martin's Group 4 with rectangular headplate and florid face-masks to the three edges and conical eyes, deep bow with with square central panel, footplate with square lateral lappets, triangular face-mask finial with conical eyes; pin-lug and catchplate to the reverse; gilded surface abraded. 182 grams, 17 cm
Found Scampton, Lincolnshire, UK. From the private collection of Alan Harrison, circa 2000. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11898-204375.
The florid type of cruciform brooch stands at the end of the series and probably dates to the middle of the 6th century according to the most recent discussion (Martin, 2015). The present example has a close parallel in the find from Duston, Northamptonshire, which Martin assigns to his Type 4.7.1, among the very last (or most fully developed) group in the seriation. The headplate, bow and footplate each have a square panel of Style I zoomorphic ornament within a thick frame; the headplate features blocks of billeting to three edges and punched triangular ornament on the frame, which also appears on the lateral edges of the finial. The conical eyes on the facing masks are an unusual and very distinctive feature which would have made casting the brooch a technical challenge. There is some evidence for silvering on the flat rectangular surfaces (T-shaped on the headplate and rectangular on the lappets and finial). The openwork masks on the headplate develop into profile bird-heads. This brooch was recovered by a metal-detectorist in several pieces over a period of some years, and re-assembled. It was published by Leahy in his authoritative work on the Kingdom of Lindsey. -
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Anglo-Saxon Bronze Girdle Hanger Pair
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Each with a suspension loop (one occluded) and decorative terminal, possibly formed as beast heads. 55 grams total, 13.2-13.5 cm
From a Norfolk excavation in the late 19th century. Ex property of a Nottingham gentleman by descent. -
Anglo-Saxon Wrist Clasps and Ring Group
6th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
The ring with a decoratively twisted bezel and overlapping arms; two clasps, one decorated with punched annulets. 12.8 grams total, 23-34 mm
Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic.
