Merovingian Bronze Eagle Brooch

With raised borders and median band, all decorated with triangular punchmarks and niello fill; gilt chip-carved band detailing; discoid cell at each end with garnet cloison 'eye' (one absent); pin-lug and catch to the reverse. 3.88 grams, 31 mm



Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection.

A classic development of the S-fibula with bird-head detailing.

With narrow bow, openwork headplate with flanking bird-shapes, pierced lappets and bulbous tongue-shaped footplate; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. 19.6 grams, 80 mm



From the collection of Alan Hardcastle, circa 2017. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.

The edges slightly bowed, raised rim enclosing an S-scroll motif in each angle, four rectangular cells each with a replaced inset garnet cloison, central low-relief rosette motif; pin-lug and catch to the reverse, with old collector's reference 'MS232'; some restoration. 9.83 grams, 29 mm

Fine condition, some restoration.

Collection of Dr Hanns-Ulrich Haedeke (1928-2017), author of ‘Schmuck Aus Drei Jahrtausenden’ and who became the director of the Museum of Klingenmuseum in Solingen, Germany, in 1968; the collection was formed in the early 1960s. From an important private Dutch collection. Accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.169958/07/12/2020. This lot has also been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.10457-169958.