LOT 0661

Anglo-Saxon Gilt-Bronze Radiate-Headed Brooch

(Gilt-bronze, 49 grams, 76 mm.).

Circa 6th century AD. A cast bronze brooch with D-shaped headplate and seven radiating knobs with flange decoration; the headplate with raised cell detail; the bow ribbed flanked by bosses with thick collars; two similar bosses flanking the triangular footplate; the finial a human mask with ribbed hair detail above; to the reverse, a pierced lug for the pin; the catchplate lost in antiquity.

From an important collection of Pre-Christian artefacts formed in the 1950's and 1960's; the property of a City Gentleman.

The brooch does not function as a true bow-brooch, since the material to which it is pinned cannot be gathered into the hollow of the bow. Stylistically it is influenced by the contemporary design of belt-buckle with triangular plate and bosses to the shoulders and point.