Large Anglo-Saxon Bronze Cruciform Bow Brooch

LATE 5TH-EARLY 6TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/4 in. (71 grams, 13.5 cm).

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.

Provenance

Acquired circa 1995.
From an East Anglian private collection.

Literature

Cf. Martin, T., The Cruciform Brooch and Anglo-Saxon England, Woodbridge, 2015, p.50, item 773 (from Hornsea, Yorkshire).

Footnotes

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.

CONDITION

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LOT 1221