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LOT 0307
Saxon Age Silver-Gilt Trefoil Brooch with Central Garnet
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
2 3/8 in. (10.79 grams, 59 mm).
Plaque with concentric raised rings and central glass cabochon, three radiating arms each with an S-scroll motif; catch and pin-lug to the reverse.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Youngs, S. (ed.), The Work of Angels. Masterpieces of Celtic Metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD, London, 1989, item 157(b).
FootnotesThe brooch is reminiscent of the Anglo-Scandinavian 'trefoil' type but lacks the customary detailing of that type. Its slender proportions and use of S-scrolled tendrils are more readily associated with the Irish metalworking tradition.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0307
Saxon Age Silver-Gilt Trefoil Brooch with Central Garnet
Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
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Superb Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Of Hines's Group X with two discs on the headplate in a rectangular frame surrounded by a frieze of facing human masks, and another mask placed centrally above the junction with the bow; shallow bow with three ribs; curved horse-head lappets flanking a vertical shank with facing mask detailing, discoid lobes and an inverted mask below; pin-lugs to the reverse and solder-scar where the catchplate was attached. 128 grams, 14 cm
Found near Grimsby, Humberside, UK, circa 2010. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11899-204377.
The brooch has many of the characteristics of Hines's Group X but also bears a strong resemblance to an unclassified example from Barrington A, Cambridgeshire (Hines, 1997, pl.101). The frieze of facing masks which forms the border to the headplate has echoes of contemporary motifs found on the headplate of the brooch from Fridaythorpe (Hines, 1997, pl.8(b)) and the crests of helmets such as Valsgarde mounds 5 and 7 (Sweden) - see Mortimer, 2011, p.32-35). The inverted mask on the finial echoes the 7th century shield-fitting from Vall, Gotland (Franceschi et al, 2005, pl.209). The significance of the mask motifs has been discussed in the cited works of Franceschi et al and Mortimer. A link to generations of deified ancestors is one possibility. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Reused Roman Coin Collection
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Group comprising: bronze coins from the Roman Empire period (2nd-4th century A.D.); each pierced once or twice for suspension as jewellery pendants in the Anglo-Saxon period. 34.8 grams total, 15-26 mm
Found Berkshire, UK. -
Anglo-Saxon Bronze Shield Mount with Animal Masks and Beast Heads
6th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £320
The eight arms arranged with alternating trefoil and tapering terminals, the trilobate arms formed as animal masks, the tapering arms as dragon-heads, all with stylised detailing in relief; punched circlets to the field; some remains of mounting lug to reverse centre. 68 grams, 54 mm
Found Norfolk, UK. From an East Anglian private collection.
