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LOT 0277
Huge Bronze Age Spiral Brooch
850-750 B.C.
9 in. (567 grams total, 23 cm high including stand).
Formed as four coils of rod radiating around a central disc with pointillé decoration; substantial pin and catch to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Dr. Peter W. Biertz (1914-2000), Wolsfeld, Germany, by August 1990.
Recorded in a letter from Dr Hans Nortmann, Rhein, Landesmuseum Trier, 8 August 1990.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11880-207712.
Cf. Hattatt, R., Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1348.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Bronze Age Artefact Group
Circa 2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Principally: a variety of chisels and other implements and a votive axehead, together with other items. 213 grams total, 1.4-12.6 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance. -
Large Bronze Age Freeform 'Pancake' Founder's Ingot
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Of amorphous form with inclusions to both surfaces; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2 kg total, 34.5 cm high including stand
Found Cotham, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK.
These ingots were cast in shallow scoops carved into boulders or stones at places where the ore was mined and smelted; they were then traded across the Bronze Age world as raw material. -
Bronze Age Pancake Ingot Fragment Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising three pieces of copper 'bun' ingot, one showing the characteristic edge cross-section. 508 grams total, 54-69 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s.
These bun ingots were cast in shallow saucer depressions cut into rock where the copper ore was mined and smelted; they were then carried and traded across Europe before being broken up, melted down and having tin added to form bronze alloy; fragments such as these are frequently found as part of smith's hoards of, usually, worn out tools, weapons and raw material from the Late Bronze Age.
