Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Urnes Openwork Mount

Williams's Class A Type 1 with trapezoidal plaque and narrow ledge to the rear; incised geometric design following the outline of the mount with symmetrical panels; to the neck five vertical lines, perhaps pseudo-runes. 19.88 grams, 50 mm



Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s.

The markings on the neck appear to conform to the shapes of four runes, being inverted chevrons to the edges (runic 'U'), a character of two verticals and a sloping cross-bar (runic 'H'), and a simple vertical stroke (runic 'I'). However, the outer chevrons are formed as the junction of the inner border with a vertical while the cross-bar appears to be a later abrasion. The form of 'H' with a single cross-bar is very early (2nd -5th century AD) and is almost unknown in England, while by the 8th century this form had been replaced in Scandinavia by a rune formed as a vertical with a small saltire to the centre (like an asterisk). It is nevertheless possible that these marks were intended as a form of pseudo-runic text.

Penannular neck torc with tapering terminals. 84 grams, 17 cm



Acquired on the European art market in the 1980s, and thence by descent. From an important private family collection of arms and armour.

Each link in the chain composed of three separate hoops, the equal-arm brooches with decoration in high-relief and remains of pin-lugs and catchplate to reverse. 252 grams total, 78 cm long



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