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Details
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.
Provenance
Found 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.
Literature
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.
Footnotes
The 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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