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LOT 1435
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Mount with Wolf-Men
6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (9.08 grams, 32 mm).
The majority of a mount bearing dense and enigmatic imagery recalling half-remembered legends which were already ancient when it was made; the obverse packed with a tangled mass of bands of detailed ornament which resolves itself into human (or divine?) figures, each gripping the ankles of the other, their bodies inverted and contorted in the classic Style I chip-carved fashion; the centre with a round cell, into which a flat-cut glass cloison is set, polished to reflect the light and to shimmer with blood-red brilliance.
ProvenanceFound Wiltshire, UK.
Wiltshire gentleman, 2011.
TimeLine Originals, 2000s.
Property of an East Anglia gentleman.
Accompanied by a report by Anglo-Saxon and Viking specialist S. Pollington.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.10381-168115.
See MacGregor, A. and Bolick, E., A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), Oxford, 1993, item 25.6, for type.
FootnotesAnglo-Saxon and Viking specialist Stephen Pollington writes: '...the scene presented may illustrate a legend or myth of which no record survives. That said, the execution of the piece is consistent with high-status Anglo-Saxon metalwork of the 6th century, and the quality of the gilding is remarkably high. The iconography is at present unique but entirely within the Anglo-Saxon tradition.'
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LOT 1435
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Mount with Wolf-Men
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Saxon 'Sutton Hoo' Type Iron Cauldron Chain
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Or a hanging-bowl chain comprising: nine sets of two parallel-twisted 8-shaped links, with interstitial H-shaped twisted elements, the lower four each with a standing bull figure with prominent horns; a lateral hook with herringbone twisted shank; lower hooked flange with four herringbone-twist bars with looped ends; suspension ring and four-bar herringbone-twisted shank. 3.1 kg, 1.03 m
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The chain and fittings closely resemble those recovered from Mound 1 at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, England (British Museum accession ref. 1939,1010.167). It is understood that the chain was used to support a cauldron above the hearth, with additional hooks and suspension brackets for ancillary vessels. The bull-head detailing was present on the wrought-iron stand (ref. 1939,1010.161) from the same grave. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Small-Long Brooch
Late 5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Comma-shaped lobes to the headplate, gently carinated bow, T-shaped footplate with hemispherical terminal; ferrous remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse, lower part detached. 24 grams total, 30-46 mm
Cambridgeshire collection, 1990s. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Small-Long Brooch
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Trefoil projections to the headplate, almost conical bow and collared lower body; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 18 grams, 70 mm
Cambridgeshire collection, 1990s.
