Gothic Bronze Bow Brooch

The roughly D-shaped body engraved with a three-armed geometric motif, a dome between each arm, the articulate tongue with headplate engraved with a stylised hooded face or ithyphallic motif(?), oval buckle engraved with clusters of vertical lines; three pierced attachment lugs to reverse. 105 grams total, 12 x 10 cm



with Paris Hôtel Drouot, 12 July 2005, lot 152. Private collection, Europe.

The headplate engraved with an ithyphallic penis at the centre enclosed within concentric geometric borders, three domed studs to the perimeter; the penis motif repeated in smaller plate forming part of the tongue, oval-shaped buckle engraved with clusters of vertical lines; remains of tinning; three pierced attachment lugs to reverse; repaired. 70 grams, 86 mm



with Paris Hôtel Drouot, 12 July 2005, lot 152. Private collection, Europe.

Comprised of a crescent loop with bird-head finials, punched-point detailing and cloison eyes; tongue with beast-head finial; plaque with separate square panel of raised ornament with garnet cloison to each corner, larger central cloison surrounded by eight smaller, profile bird-head to the rear with garnet cloison eye. 190 grams, 18 cm

Very fine condition.

Acquired in Munich in the 1970s. From an old European collection. Property of an important West London collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11831-206924.

Numerous examples of these buckles, together with stirrup fibulae with buttons, were found in the necropolis of the Bosphorus, brought from the Danube area in the first and second half of the 6th century. They were part of the equipment of burials in crypts or inhumation tombs, dated from the end of the 6th century to the 7th century. Accurate comparisons can be made with a specimen recovered in burial tomb 315 of Eski Kermen, (first half of the 7th century), a grave belonging to a woman of Alan ethnic group, buried with Gothic ornaments.