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LOT 0270
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Pin Head with Floral Cross
CIRCA 9TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (9.41 grams, 46 mm).
A large gilt copper-alloy pin head of discoid form, displaying a central knop and stylised chip-carved flower head cross with scrolling volutes to the head of each of four petals and tendrils between; perforated lug to the apex; later secondary piercing beside the rim and ferrous rivet.
ProvenanceFound UK.
Acquired in the 1990s.
From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
See Hinton, D.A., Gold and Gilt, Pots and Pins, Oxford, 2006, plate D, for similar.
FootnotesThe item began as one of a set of pin-heads for the headdress of a high-status female. Subsequently the edge was pierced in two places and a rivet passed through one hole - if the other hole also accepted a rivet it has been lost. The floral decoration terminates in narrow triangular vine-leaf motifs which appear elsewhere in Trewhiddle Style art.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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LOT 0270
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Pin Head with Floral Cross
Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
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Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Shield Mount with Beast Mask
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
A rectangular gilt copper-alloy mount displaying a chip-carved beast mask to the recessed centre formed from two Style I beasts in profile each with triple-strand body; remains of iron matrix to verso. 12 grams, 28 mm
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The gilt-bronze panel features some detailed Style I ornament with a facing mask at the centre formed from the bent legs of the two beasts. The iron matrix suggests that the piece was mounted on an item of military equipment, either a helmet, shield or horse-harness. -
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Bird's Wing-Whorl Mount
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
A gilt copper-alloy circular mount decorated with a chip-carved whorl composed of four stylised bird's wings radiating from a central knop; four mounting lugs to the reverse. 6.28 grams, 26 mm
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK. -
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Saxon Garnet-Inlaid 'Face' Buckle Element
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £432
A portion of a gold buckle or fitting with garnet cloisonné 'face' to the obverse, bands of granulation above and below; comprising a triangular panel with two garnet disc 'eyes' above a greenish (perhaps serpentine) filling to the upper cell, and a row of four garnets below; the effect represents either a face, or the other way up, two serpents settled with their addorsed heads resting on the baseline; two mounting loops to the reverse. 2.84 grams, 23 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.
The design replicates in cloisonné technique the dense artwork found for example on saucer brooches and sword pommels where serpents and quadrupeds are crowded into small spaces in the design. See for example Hammond (2009), item 1.1.6.6-h, a pair of saucer brooches with panels of animals and birds.
