LOT 0335

Dark Age Silver Boar Bow Brooch

5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

2 1/2 in. (28 grams, 65 mm).

Comprising a circular headplate with pointillé tendril ornament, and three radiating lugs, each with a flared collar below; deep D-section bow with boar-head modelling including open mouth and tusks, bristles and pricked ears; parallel-sided chamfered edges, recurved finial with dog-head detailing and teardrop dangle in the mouth; spring and pin to the reverse.

with Artemis Gallery, Münich, before 1998.
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 2001.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12226-222179.

See Harhoiu, R., Der Schatzfund von Simleul Silvaniei und die Schlacht von Nedao, in Banatica, Bd. 23, (2013), pp. 111-142, for similar; see also D'Amato, R., Salimbeti, A., Post-Roman Kingdoms, 'Dark Ages' Gaul and Britain, AD 450-800, Oxford, 2023, p.53.

As the boar's mouth is modelled open, it is likely that it also had a dangle similar to that of the dog's head. The artistic effect of the brooch is to symbolise the chase, with the boar fleeing and the hound in close pursuit behind. This kind of fibula was used by the Romano-British people of Britannia, as attested by specimens found in Britain (BM inventory no.PRB 1954.12-6.1).