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LOT 0333
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
6TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (77.9 grams, 11.5 cm).
Of Hines's Group XIII with running scrolls on the headplate surrounded by a border of beast-masks, deep bow with raised ribs, curved horse-head lappets and lateral lobes with facing masks, median panel of Style I ornament; remains of ferrous pin to the reverse and deep catch; some silver detailing; finial absent.
ProvenanceFound near Thetford, Norfolk, UK, circa 2010.
LiteratureCf. Hines, J., A New Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Great Square-Headed Brooches, London, 1997, pl.42(a).
FootnotesThis brooch falls within Hines's Group XIII and shares many features with an example from Nassington, Northamptonshire. The headplate bears a raised rectangular frame (possibly silvered) separating the inner scroll motif from the outer band of animal-masks which are pierced along the inner edge; the lappets are also pierced at the point of junction with the footplate. The lateral lobes feature facing masks of a helmetted type similar to those featured on contemporary button brooches.
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Anglo-Saxon Bronze Regardant Beast Brooch
8th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Comprising a flat-section disc with reserved regardant beast within a pelletted border, pin-lug and catchplate to the reverse. 8.2 grams, 29 mm
Acquired 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection. -
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Of Hines's Group XX with square headplate bearing concentric bands of billets, undulating lines and punched points, with vesica motifs to the upper corners; thick shallow bow with central rib, isosceles triangle footplate with horse-head lappets and flanking lobes with concentric rings, ropework bands and central vesica, disc finial with ropework border; pin-lugs to the reverse and broad catch. 136 grams, 13.5 cm
Found near Grimsby, Humberside, UK, circa 2010.
The brooch shows a restrained use of low-relief detailing confined to largely geometric features other than the horse-heads at the shoulders and the single facing mask on the headplate above the junction with the bow. The bow itself is very thick and displays a prominent median rib with just a suggestion of outer ribs. The mineral deposits on the reverse bear the imprint of the textile to which the brooch was attached. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Ring with Punched Motifs
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Formed with a slender hoop overlapping and coiled at the centre, the discoid bezel with punched bow tie and ring-and-dot motifs. 1.77 grams, 23.99 mm overall, 19.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
From a Norfolk excavation in the late 19th century. Ex property of a Nottingham gentleman by descent.