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LOT 1195
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Double-Axe Shield Mount
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (7.5 grams, 45 mm).
A bronze mount with gilded lozengiform central element and T-shaped 'axe' extensions; the lozenge with three-band collars, punched bands to the edges and central quatrefoil motif with pellets to the ends; two thick mounting lugs to the reverse, one with its mounting rove in place.
ProvenanceFound Hertfordshire, UK.
Accompanied by copies of the relevant Benet's Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom pages where it is published.
Hammond, A.B., Benet's Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom, 4th Edition, 2021, p.451, A09-0304.
LiteratureSee Hammond, B., British Artefacts vol.1 - Early Anglo-Saxon, Witham, 2009, p.75-81, for discussion.
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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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 Chip-Carved Saucer Brooch with Face of Woden
5th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
A superb chip-carved saucer or button brooch with extensive remains of gilding, displaying a stylised male face with puffy cheeks, large ears, long moustache, raised pellet eyes of different sizes, hair dressed in vertical ribs alternating plain and textured, some chevron and pellet patterning to the face; stub remains of catch fitting to reverse. 5.2 grams, 23 mm
Fine condition, slight scuffing to rim and one cheek.
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The brooch does not fall neatly into Avent & Evison's typology, being somewhat larger than the standard forms of button brooch and with an unusually detailed face. Broadly, it resembles Class J with alternating plain and textured vertical strands in the hair but does not have the horizontal band across the brow nor the stylised beard associated with the type. The eccentric placement of the eyes suggests that the image may be the face of the god Woden (Odin) who famously sacrificed one eye in exchange for wisdom. -
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Beast Mount
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A square-shaped gilt copper-alloy chip-carved mount with mounting lugs to reverse; gilt beast with three-strand body; secondary holes to accept mounting rivets, one still in place. 3.88 grams, 16 mm
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The small integral fixing pins on the reverse were removed when the mount had to be re-used; two holes were drilled through the image just inside the frame.
