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LOT 1442
Merovingian Bronze Eagle Brooch
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (4.5 grams, 33 mm).
Bird in profile facing right with highly stylised ribbed chevron detailing; remains of pin-lug and catchplate to reverse.
Provenance‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
LiteratureCf. Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, fig.156 (4,5).
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Merovingian Bronze Eagle Brooch
5th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
Bird in profile facing left with highly stylised geometric detailing; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 6.29 grams, 41 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. -
Ostrogothic Silver-Gilt Radiate-Headed Brooch
Late 5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Comprising a D-shaped headplate with running-scroll motif and five radiating balustered knops, the median one with an applied cell and inset garnet cabochon; short bow with median rib and tiered junction to the lozengiform footplate with running scroll motifs and cabochon garnets at the angles; lateral pierced triangular panels with cabochon garnets below and a beast-head finial; pin-lugs, spring, pin and catch to the reverse. 28 grams, 11 cm
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From the private collection of Alan Harrison, circa 2007.
The pierced triangular element above the finial was probably intended to represent two animals with heads bent down, the garnet cabochons forming the eyes; this is more clearly shown on the example from Ravenna (VIII.6.2). -
'The Boxford' Frankish Silver Published Radiate Brooch Fragment
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Consisting of part of the semi-circular headplate embellished with three radiating knops and a band of geometric swirls, arched bow with raised rib and boss. 7.88 grams, 35 mm
Found near Boxford, West Berkshire, UK, in 2001. Accompanied by various correspondence with West Berkshire Council and the British Museum, including a letter disclaiming the brooch as treasure dated 22nd November 2001, BM Treasure case: 2001 T1. Accompanied by PAS record id. PAS-D36287.
The brooch is similar to Rhineland examples from Andernach and Bonn, Germany (H Kühn, Die germanischen Bügelfibeln der Völkerwanderungszeit in der Rheinprovinz(Bonn, 1940), Taf. 67: 6,3; 6,5; 6,6). However, a more ovoid form ending in an animal head is not impossible.
