Anglo-Saxon Glass and Amber Necklace Bead Group

Pelta-shaped with plaque with median panel of knotwork and pellets, flanking addorse bird-heads each with pellet eye and hooked beak; attachment lugs to reverse. 5.15 grams, 22 mm



Found Gloucestershire, UK.

Plaques of this type were made as separate castings to be affixed to the three radiating arms of the cruciform brooch.

Comprising a rectangular headplate with outer band of Style I masks, raised border and inner panel of scrolls with two annular cells to accept inlay; shallow bow with raised median rib and corrugated surface, outward facing mask at each end; footplate with lateral lappets featuring profile horse-heads; median bar with central cell, lozenge panels with scrolled border and masks in the lateral lugs; mask at the lower end with raised triangle; scars from pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. 136 grams, 16 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12924-245112.

The brooch seems to belong to the group IV of the great squared brooches. Usually, they have a large 'rampant beast' in the footplate upper borders, and a large mask in the terminal lobe, of rather more varying pattern.

Headplate with three radiating crescent lugs. punched detailing; deep bow and narrow footplate; catch and remains of ferrous pin to reverse; repaired from parts. 16.4 grams, 67.5 mm



From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collector established from the earlier 1960s.