Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1271

Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Horse Harness Mount

6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

1 3/8 in. (6.4 grams, 35 mm).

Composed of a pelta-shaped body with broad border, central panel of dense Style II ornament, three studs to the reverse. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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

Literature

Cf. Carver, M., Sutton Hoo. A Seventh Century Princely Burial Ground and its Context, London, 2005, item 25cii; Fern, C., ‘The Archaeological Evidence for Equestrianism in Early Anglo-Saxon England c.450-700' in Pluskowski, A. (ed.), Just skin and bones? New perspectives in Animal-Human relations in the Historical Past, 2005, pp.43-71.

Footnotes

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.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1271

Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Horse Harness Mount

Sold for (Inc. bp): £176

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Bronze Lozengiform Brooch
    Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Bronze Lozengiform Brooch
    Early 9th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £572

    Plate brooch with integral coiled spring and stub of the pin to one end; raised border enclosing a dense panel of 'Mercian Style' foliage in high-relief with central stud. 2.6 grams, 41 mm



    Ex Colchester, UK, collection, formed 1980s-1990s. From the collection of Dirk Kennis, Belgium.

    Lozenge brooches (known as Weetch (2014) Type 31.C ) are not a frequently found type in British archaeology; the British Museum's records list only 34 such items, almost all found in the East Midlands or the Winchester area. 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.

    Lot Details

  • Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Bronze Mount
    Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Bronze Mount
    Later 8th-9th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900

    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.

    Lot Details

  • Anglo-Saxon Artefact Collection
    Anglo-Saxon Artefact Collection
    6th-9th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £33

    A mixed group of artefacts comprising: two annular brooch frames with worn remains of geometric motif and remains of pin; a zoomorphic strap end with beast head finial and geometric interlace motifs to the body, remains of enamel inlay, two piercings for attachment. 23.8 grams, 40-44 mm

    Fair condition.

    Found Yorkshire, UK.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list