Merovingian Gold Hoop Earring with Garnets

Comprising a heater-shaped frame with integral openwork Urnes-style enmeshed beast. 17.75 grams, 41 mm



Found Gloucestershire, UK.

The design is clearly based on Anglo-Scandinavian stirrup mount but the item is not substantial enough for this purpose and lacks both the attachment point at the apex and the rear ledge which characterise these pieces. Possibly a casket-mount or fitting, or a decorative item from riding harness.

Comprising: a small and narrow type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe d) with an openwork panel to each face filled by a cross-shaped motif with curved cross-bar, and a dentilled upper edge to the mouth; a tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 1) with an openwork centre and Ringerike style bird formed with looped bands, pellets to the pinions, a triangular in plan head joined to the inner faces of the ropework border forming the upper edge of the chape, with a wolf's head at the apex and stepped knop finial (apex and lower end of the chape damaged); two of the same type (Gruppe I 1) with a pair of scrolls in the central void and a 'knot' to the apex', one with ropework detailing and a wolf's head; a broad D-shaped plaque with a plain reverse plate riveted in place, guilloche band to the outer edge and interlaced vines to the centre. 118 grams total, 46-75 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The chape with the dentilled upper edge bears a cross motif on which only the curvature of the cross-piece indicates its origin in the raven/eagle figure found more commonly on this type; as its ornament has developed a long way from its original form, it should be dated to the 11 or 12th century. The D-shaped plaque with the plain reverse is not in Paulsen's typology but appears to be derived from the smaller types in his Gruppe VII.

Flat-section with low-relief reserved zigzag and longitudinal bands, each end with a bear's head and forepaws in plan. 88.7 grams, 69 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.