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LOT 1198
Late Anglo-Saxon Strap End with Dragons
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (12.4 grams, 37 mm).
A bronze tag with openwork design of two addorsed beasts rising from a transverse base with stepped panel below and three holes to accept rivets. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound Cambridgeshire, UK.
LiteratureCf. Thomas, G., Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking Age Strap-Ends 750-1100: Part 2, Finds Research Group datasheet 33, Sleaford, 2007, item 32, for type.
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Anglo-Saxon Chip-Carved Saucer Brooch with Face of Woden
5th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
A superb chip-carved saucer or button brooch with extensive remains of gilding, displaying a stylised male face with puffy cheeks, large ears, long moustache, raised pellet eyes of different sizes, hair dressed in vertical ribs alternating plain and textured, some chevron and pellet patterning to the face; stub remains of catch fitting to reverse. 5.2 grams, 23 mm
Fine condition, slight scuffing to rim and one cheek.
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The brooch does not fall neatly into Avent & Evison's typology, being somewhat larger than the standard forms of button brooch and with an unusually detailed face. Broadly, it resembles Class J with alternating plain and textured vertical strands in the hair but does not have the horizontal band across the brow nor the stylised beard associated with the type. The eccentric placement of the eyes suggests that the image may be the face of the god Woden (Odin) who famously sacrificed one eye in exchange for wisdom. -
Anglo-Saxon Red Enamelled Mount with Interlace
Circa 8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
A bronze lozenge-shaped mount with slightly convex profile displaying a quartered geometric motif of crosses composed of knotwork circles, all within a square frame and with a notched outer border; surviving traces of red enamelling within the cells; pierced rectangular mounting lug to reverse. 7.23 grams, 27 mm
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The pierced attachment lug is typical of plates attached to horse-harness and similar leather items. -
Anglo-Saxon Enamelled Interlace Pelta-Shaped Mount
7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A pelta-shaped copper-alloy mount with substantial remains of enamelled decorative designs composed of a russet-coloured interlace motif against a light-coloured field, a lozenge to each external angle; Hiberno-Saxon workmanship. 25.2 grams, 71 mm
Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
The shape of the piece indicates that it is a quadrant from a divided circular pattern, similar to the kinds of enamelled inset and applied panels which appear on Irish house-shrines.
