Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0299

Anglo-Saxon Bronze Mythical Beast Shield Mount

CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/8 in. (10.2 grams, 60 mm).

With punched outline to the body and legs, gilded head with open jaws and raised cell eye; attachment studs to the reverse.

Provenance

Found near Grimsby, UK, circa 2015.

Literature

Cf. Pollington, S., Kerr, L. & Hammond, B., Wayland's Work: Anglo-Saxon Art, Myth & Material Culture from the 4th to 7th century, Ely, 2010, p.360; Green, B., Rogerson, A., The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Bergh Apton, Norfolk: Catalogue, East Anglian Archaeology Reports. Gressenhall: Norfolk Archaeological Unit, 1978.

Footnotes

A number of similar mounts, probably from shields or possibly saddles, have been found in England, notably the beast from grave 26 at Bergh Apton (Norfolk) where the animal depicted may be a bear.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0299

Anglo-Saxon Bronze Mythical Beast Shield Mount

Sold for (Inc. bp): £650

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Anglo-Saxon Nummular Disc Brooch
    Anglo-Saxon Nummular Disc Brooch
    6th-9th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

    Displaying a stylised regardant beast standing within a raised geometric border, punched ring-and-dot eye and detailing; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 6.19 grams, 28 mm



    Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic.

    Lot Details

  • Anglo-Saxon and Viking Bronze Artefact Group
    Anglo-Saxon and Viking Bronze Artefact Group
    Circa 5th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £182

    Including seven accompanied by Portable Antiquities Scheme records: an incomplete small-long brooch with ring-and-dot ornament; an incomplete small square-headed brooch with headplate featuring zoomorphic mouldings in Salin's Style 1; spindle whorl decorated with vertical striations; an incomplete small Kentish square-headed brooch; fragment of a great square-headed brooch; hooked tag with perforated oval head, Read Class A Type 2; disc brooch decorated with concentric circles and punched dots; together with other miscellaneous artefacts. 240 grams total, 19-45 mm



    Found Berkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copies of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report nos.BERK-056093, BERK-725B84, BERK-25F9D1, BERK-04DF75, BERK-051CDB, BERK-0605B4, and BERK-05016C.

    Lot Details

  • Anglo-Saxon Large Bronze Cruciform Bow Brooch
    Anglo-Saxon Large Bronze Cruciform Bow Brooch
    Late 5th-early 6th century A.D.

    Estimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £140

    Of Martin's Type 3.2.4 (Holywell Row) featuring a trapezoidal headplate with lateral trapezoidal panels, domed knop above; deep bow with facetted ends, T-shaped footplate with lateral lappets, horse-head finial with discoid nostrils; complete ferrous pin and catchplate to the reverse, hollowed reverse to the horse-head. 71 grams, 13.5 cm



    Acquired circa 1995. From an East Anglian private collection.

    The Holywell Row type in Martin's analysis extends from the northern shore of the Thames Estuary as far as Yorkshire, but with a cluster in the Cambridge area. The edges of the headplate show the faintest traces of punched detailing, if this is not the result of the original clean-up when the brooch was taken from its mould; similar marks can be discerned on the footplate below the junction with the bow. The finial shows little zoomorphic detailing but the nostrils are characteristic of the type. The presence of the pin is remarkable.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list