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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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Anglo-Saxon Bronze Strap End with Rivetted Silver Plate with Beast Facing Back
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Of Thomas's Class A, rectangular with convex sides and slit at one end to accept the leather or fabric of the belt or strap; applied sheet silver panel attached with four silver rivets, bearing a Trewhiddle Style regardant beast with its tail looped over its rump; remains of an animal-mask finial beside the panel; reverse marked with PAS reference KENT-112CEC. 5.59 grams, 37 mm
Fine condition.
Found while searching with a metal detector near Romney, Folkestone and Hythe, Kent, UK, in 2018. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-112CEC. Disclaimed under treasure reference no.2018T664. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Equal-Armed Brooch
5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Of bow-tie form with raised central section; pin lug and catchplate to reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand with accompanying description reading 'Uncommon native type / Late 5th cent. AD / Found in East Anglia / Evolved from continental brooches, the few known are from East Anglia. cf. Salin 1940, 176; Reichstein 1975, Taf. 110, 2 and 3.' 68 grams, 86 mm high including stand
Found East Anglia, UK. From the Hattatt collection, 1985. Ex Astarte collection with reference no.00/531/09. -
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Mount with Dragons
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Formed as two opposed beasts issuing from a central panel; each head formed with a large elliptical eye, scrolled decoration to the neck and scrolled surround to the central perforation; collector's id. number '91.420.51' to reverse. 7.22 grams, 49 mm
Acquired 1991. From an important Mayfair, London, UK collection. Inventory no.420.51 / cat.91.