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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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AUCTIONS:
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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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Anglo-Saxon Decorated Gold Ring
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
A gold band with raised median gusset flanked by two rows of punched pellets. 3.47 grams, 21.87 mm overall, 19.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Mr Keith J Lewis and Mr James Arms near Willisham, Suffolk, UK, in March 2019. Declared under the Treasure Act and disclaimed to the finders. Accompanied by a copy of the report on the find of potential treasure for H M Coroner. -
'The Pershore' Anglo-Saxon Hanging Bowl Mount with Horse-Head
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
A bronze bowl mount or escutcheon comprising a discoid panel with gently curved profile and zoomorphic hook; the panel with reserved La Tène comma-leaf decoration on a pounced field (intended to receive enamel fill); the hook with median gusset to the outer face, horse-head finial, bulbous La Tène ornament at the base. 23.7 grams, 48 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Pershore, Worcestershire, West Midlands, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report no.WAW-BC2657. -
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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.
