Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Button Brooch with Face

Composed of a pelta-shaped body with broad border, central panel of dense Style II ornament, three studs to the reverse. 6.4 grams, 35 mm



Ex property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s.

The pelta-shaped body could be a part of a circular decorative phalera usually attached to the breast of the horse, or to the muzzle of the horse's head, or decoration of the harness mount of antilina or strap-junction of the postilina (Fern, 2005, fig.5.18). It was usually positioned at the bottom of the phalera.

Irregular fragment from a bronze casket mount formed with four discoid panels each filled with dense regularly-displayed foliage and tendrils with lobe finials; central pierced disc with triquetra motifs in the spandrels; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 13.1 grams, 44 mm (50.4 grams total, 71 mm high including stand)



Found Saxmundham, Suffolk, in the 1980s. From the collection of Dirk Kennis, Belgium.

Details of the decoration recall later 8th century items, such as the lobed tendrils and triquetra motifs on the Franks Casket; the regular disposition of elements recalls a shrine mount from Peterborough (Hammond, 1.12-d) and disc-headed pins (Hammond, 1.10-g, h). Recorded, studied, and determined by the Secretary of State’s Expert Adviser as an object of cultural interest. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA) considered an application to export this object. The Committee concluded that the object satisfied the third Waverley criterion and is therefore currently not exportable.

Central stud with six running spirals around; dimple to the reverse. 6.53 grams, 30.23 mm



Found Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

The item is probably the button from a shield-boss as it shows signs of a ferrous rivet to the centre.