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LOT 0291
Large Anglo-Saxon Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
LATE 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (136 grams, 16 cm).
Comprising a rectangular headplate with outer band of Style I masks, raised border and inner panel of scrolls with two annular cells to accept inlay; shallow bow with raised median rib and corrugated surface, outward facing mask at each end; footplate with lateral lappets featuring profile horse-heads; median bar with central cell, lozenge panels with scrolled border and masks in the lateral lugs; mask at the lower end with raised triangle; scars from pin-lugs and catch to the reverse.
ProvenanceFound Seaham, Co Durham, UK.
Property of a Durham private collector.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12924-245112.
Cf. Hines, J., A New Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Great Square-Headed Brooches, London, 1997, items 17(a), Rothley for headplate, 16(b), Holywell Row for foot.
FootnotesThe brooch seems to belong to the group IV of the great squared brooches. Usually, they have a large 'rampant beast' in the footplate upper borders, and a large mask in the terminal lobe, of rather more varying pattern.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Saucer Brooch
Late 5th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Discoid in plan with raised rim and inner ridge decorated with notches, six radiating arms with notch detailing and interstitial chevrons; central knop rivetted from reverse; remains of catch to reverse. 20.4 grams, 37 mm
Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Small-Long Brooch
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £14
Trefoil headplate and shallow bow tapering to a narrow foot, catch and pin-lugs to reverse; repaired from parts. 12 grams, 63 mm
From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collector established from the earlier 1960s. -
'The Stathern' Anglo-Saxon Enamelled Bronze Hanging Bowl Mount with Millefiori Inlays
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Discoid and hollow to the reverse with raised rim and suspension hook base; panel of seven La Tène spirals with an enamelled field, commas between, central raised ring with three equally spaced millefiori glass inlays; extremely rare. 11.60 grams, 40 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Stathern, Leicestershire, UK, in February 2005. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Such mounts are found on hanging bowls mainly in 6th-7th century Anglo-Saxon princely or royal burials. They probably formed part of the so-called 'economy of prestige' in which decorative high-status tableware and feasting equipment circulated among the leading families of the various British and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. A number of these items have been found in 7th century burial mounds such as Sutton Hoo (Suffolk), Prittlewell (Essex) and Benty Grange (Derbyshire). The decoration and manufacturing techniques suggest an origin among the late Romano-British groups of western and northern Britain.
