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LOT 0262
Anglo-Saxon Chip-Carved Saucer Brooch with Face of Woden
5TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (5.2 grams, 23 mm).
A superb chip-carved saucer or button brooch with extensive remains of gilding, displaying a stylised male face with puffy cheeks, large ears, long moustache, raised pellet eyes of different sizes, hair dressed in vertical ribs alternating plain and textured, some chevron and pellet patterning to the face; stub remains of catch fitting to reverse.
ProvenanceFound UK.
Acquired in the 1990s.
From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
Cf. Avent, R. and Evison, V., Anglo-Saxon Button Brooches, in Archaeologia Or Miscellaneous Tracts Relating To Antiquity, London Society of Antiquaries, Volume CVII, London, 1982, pl.XV-XVI, for types.
FootnotesThe brooch does not fall neatly into Avent & Evison's typology, being somewhat larger than the standard forms of button brooch and with an unusually detailed face. Broadly, it resembles Class J with alternating plain and textured vertical strands in the hair but does not have the horizontal band across the brow nor the stylised beard associated with the type.
The eccentric placement of the eyes suggests that the image may be the face of the god Woden (Odin) who famously sacrificed one eye in exchange for wisdom.
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LOT 0262
Anglo-Saxon Chip-Carved Saucer Brooch with Face of Woden
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
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'The Siddington' Impressive Anglo-Saxon Chip-Carved Saucer Brooch Pair
Late 5th-mid 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £24,700
A pair of large Early Anglo-Saxon gilt copper-alloy saucer brooches each comprising a broad (13mm+) angled flange surrounding a central disc with carinated border; outer zone comprising four arches subdivided by hatching to the inner edge and four C-shaped panels with triangular separators, inner zone separated by a carinated border, central disc with four radiating bilinear crescents; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse with traces of mineralised fabric. 129 grams total, 76 mm wide each
Professionally cleaned.
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in October 2021, in Siddington, Gloucestershire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report nos.GLO-6A87D9 and GLO-19B6F2. Accompanied by a specialist report by Anglo-Saxon and Viking specialist Stephen Pollington. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11649-199425. -
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Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Mount with Interlaced Panels
Circa 7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,240
A gilt copper-alloy mount composed of a broad annular body with slightly domed profile, the body quartered with each cell displaying a chip-carved interlace motif configured A:B:A:B; rim, edges and central cell with raised rim; rivet and flat-section mounting bar to reverse. 9.98 grams, 28 mm
Fine condition, usage wear to raised surfaces.
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The item was originally conceived as an appliqué with central cell probably containing a cabochon garnet or meerschaum disc. At some point later a bar was added across the reverse with the ends of the rivets interrupting the surface design. -
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Pin Head with Floral Cross
Circa 9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
A large gilt copper-alloy pin head of discoid form, displaying a central knop and stylised chip-carved flower head cross with scrolling volutes to the head of each of four petals and tendrils between; perforated lug to the apex; later secondary piercing beside the rim and ferrous rivet. 9.41 grams, 46 mm
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The item began as one of a set of pin-heads for the headdress of a high-status female. Subsequently the edge was pierced in two places and a rivet passed through one hole - if the other hole also accepted a rivet it has been lost. The floral decoration terminates in narrow triangular vine-leaf motifs which appear elsewhere in Trewhiddle Style art.
