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Details
LOT 1910
Anglo-Saxon Gilt-Bronze Button Brooch
6TH CENTURY A.D.
3 7/8 in. (20.9 grams total, 98 mm including satand).
Gilt disc brooch of Avent & Evison's Class Ai with carinated inner border and mask, pin-lug and catch to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
Provenance
Ex Kai Schmidt, Cologne, Germany, 1960s-1980s.
Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00086755.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Literature
Cf. Avent, R. & Evison, V.I., Anglo-Saxon Button Brooches in Archaeologia, vol.CVII, 1982, p.78.
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The item is enigmatic and intriguing. In many respects it resembles a drinking horn finial, particularly the class of such items found in Irish and Hiberno-Saxon contexts (Youngs, items 53, 54). However, the profile of the hollow rear is elliptical rather than circular, and the lateral slots are clearly intended to accept some form of projection. The most likely interpretation is that the piece was custom-made to fit a drinking horn with carved and reserved ornament, part of which would fit into the slots. The form of the piece is superficially that of an eagle or raven-head with sturdy raptor's beak. However, behind the head are placed two small projecting ears and the sides bear a long mane, both reminiscent of a horse. Other interpretations include such elements as a boar, a caterpillar, and a rat. It seems likely that the animal is a hybrid of a mammal and bird of prey: in this case, it must be a gryphon and was possibly inspired by classical forms.