Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Brooch with Bust

Discoid and hollow to the reverse with raised rim and suspension hook base; panel of seven La Tène spirals with an enamelled field, commas between, central raised ring with three equally spaced millefiori glass inlays; extremely rare. 11.60 grams, 40 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Stathern, Leicestershire, UK, in February 2005. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Such mounts are found on hanging bowls mainly in 6th-7th century Anglo-Saxon princely or royal burials. They probably formed part of the so-called 'economy of prestige' in which decorative high-status tableware and feasting equipment circulated among the leading families of the various British and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. A number of these items have been found in 7th century burial mounds such as Sutton Hoo (Suffolk), Prittlewell (Essex) and Benty Grange (Derbyshire). The decoration and manufacturing techniques suggest an origin among the late Romano-British groups of western and northern Britain.

Including oblate, annular, tubular and other types; large green glass melon bead. 42 grams total, 5-27 mm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

Pyramidal in form with incised segmentation to each face; open at the apex, underside solid. 9.64 grams, 17.4 mm



From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collector established from the earlier 1960s.