Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Stirrup Mount with Howling Beast

Domed bronze stud with traces of gilding and enamel, silver stud at apex; embedded in a circular block of lead to form a trade weight or gaming piece; two silver discs (or ends of a silver loop) to the underside. 24.7 grams, 20 mm



Found Suffolk, UK. From an old private collection of Norfolk, UK, gentleman, formed since 1998. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-C85DE6.

Trade weights and gaming pieces in Anglo-Scandinavian culture were often formed by taking a small and finely-made pre-existing item and embedding it into a lead matrix. The effect of this practice has been to preserve smaller pieces which would otherwise not have survived.

Cruciform mount with three radiating lobes and a fourth slotted section; each lobe with separately cast boss; each boss with upper face divided into four segments, two plain and two with deep hatching; ferrous stains to underside showing attachment points, ferrous stain to the slotted centre; possibly from a portable shrine or reliquary. 56 grams, 49 mm



From a North Yorkshire, UK, private collection. Acquired from Adam Partridge Auctioneers, Macclesfield, UK. Property of Mr A.B., an American collector.

Composed of a slightly domed openwork body, the central arms with simple incised geometric detailing and central boss, free-running attachment bars above. 15.5 grams, 89 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.