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LOT 1329
Late Anglo-Saxon Prick Spur with Urnes Style Mythical Beast
CIRCA 1030-1100 A.D.
2 1/8 in. (28.9 grams, 55 mm).
The T-shaped body with remains of the iron core, each of the arms with a series of three transverse ridges, the shaft with moulded Urnes style zoomorphic decoration comprising scrolling tendrils running down either side, each running up to a coiled projection on either side of the head, possibly depicting ears or horns. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector near Mundford, Breckland, Norfolk, UK, by R.Humphrys.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.NMS-524F67.
Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.NMS-524F67.
LiteratureSee for similar spurs in PAS, nos. GLO-961A93, WILT-E1CDD0, BH-A1AFD3, SUR-301C41, SUR-C715A1; see also Williams, D., 'Two Late Saxon spur fragments from Sussex and Hampshire' in Medieval archaeology: Journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology, 2002, no.46, pp.115-117.
FootnotesArtefacts such as these are dated to the 11th century and are thought to be Viking in origin, but were widely used by the Anglo-Scandinavians and remained a legacy for the Anglo-Saxon cavalry. Spurs of this type were used probably by the Saxons at the battle of Hastings in 1066.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1329
Late Anglo-Saxon Prick Spur with Urnes Style Mythical Beast
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
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Late Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Enamelled Brooch with Cross
Circa 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
With circular frame enclosing a cloisoné enamel cruciform design in shades of blue and white, six radiating lobes to the rim each with an enamel fill. 5.65 grams, 25 mm
Acquired 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection. -
Saxon Bronze Brooch Group
7th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising an equal-arm brooch with punched ring-and-dot motifs to both terminals; remains of a cruciform brooch with three knops and incised linear ornament; a zoomorphic brooch or mount in the form of a bird, some remains of gilding. 19 grams total, 29-36 mm
Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Entwined Serpent Mount
6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With openwork design of two serpents interlaced, each with billeted body and lentoid eyes, ropework border to the shorter sides; old collector's accession numbers to the underside '91.115' and '15871'. 10.9 grams, 46 mm
UK collection formed 1970s-1990s. Ex property of an English gentleman.
The decorative pattern of this mount is similar to what, according to S. West, is an Anglo-Saxon die found in Suffolk, where legless animal forms are represented lying head to tail, with beaded bodies within a beaded border. Also here the animals are showing interlaced jaws and headed bodies, all contained in a border.
