Anglo-Saxon Chip-Carved Gilt-Bronze Brooch Fragment

Comprising examples recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme: one of Thomas Class A Type 1, an Anglo-Scandinavian type with a zoomorphic scheme displaying a crouching beast; a second Thomas Class A type with elliptical plan, depicting the snout and eyes of a beast at one end, the creature's ears laid back against its body; a further Thomas Class A Type 1 example with two rivet holes, displaying an entwined beast with head in relief and remains of niello; four without PAS records comprising: one triangular in plan with entwined beast design and remains of niello; one tongue-shaped with design in relief and two rivet holes; a tapering strap end with crude zoomorph and one chipped edge; one entwined beast with possible cruciform design and remains of tinning or silvering. 30 grams total, 29-44 mm



Found Berkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copies of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report nos.BERK-A8E9E7, BERK-12A995, and BERK-A70390.

With lozengiform central element and T-shaped 'axe' extensions; the lozenge with three-band collars, punched bands to the edges and central quatrefoil motif with pellets to the ends; two thick mounting lugs to the reverse, one with its mounting rove in place. 7.5 grams, 45 mm

Fine condition.

Found Hertfordshire, UK.

The mount belongs to the typology of symmetrically-shaped fittings with lozengiform or ovoid body. Comparisons might be made with a pair of bichrome fittings from a shield in Sleaford 136. Their ridged, gilded and punched bodies are not unlike that of the Sutton Hoo 018, 868 aquatic mount, but both their originally terminals are triangular or trapezoidal. They are therefore purely geometric, though it is a moot point whether a zoomorphic (aquatic) appearance was intended or given.

Comprising mainly Thomas's Class A Type 1, some with beast-head finial. 45 grams total, 30-49 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.