Saxon Bronze Artefact Group

Discoid and hollow to the reverse with raised rim and suspension hook base; panel of seven La Tène spirals with an enamelled field, commas between, central raised ring with three equally spaced millefiori glass inlays; extremely rare. 11.60 grams, 40 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Stathern, Leicestershire, UK, in February 2005. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Such mounts are found on hanging bowls mainly in 6th-7th century Anglo-Saxon princely or royal burials. They probably formed part of the so-called 'economy of prestige' in which decorative high-status tableware and feasting equipment circulated among the leading families of the various British and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. A number of these items have been found in 7th century burial mounds such as Sutton Hoo (Suffolk), Prittlewell (Essex) and Benty Grange (Derbyshire). The decoration and manufacturing techniques suggest an origin among the late Romano-British groups of western and northern Britain.

Comprising: two buckles; a snake-head hook; a Hiberno-Norse strap end with interlaced design; two hooked tags; a fragmentary strap end and belt end; a large hooked tag with interlaced design. 107 grams total including documents, 19-81 mm



Found Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, UK. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Three objects with record sheets by Jim Halliday plus accompanied by various other correspondence from Lincolnshire museum services. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Comprising: ellipsoid central domed panel forming a bearded mask with impressed points to the pellet eyes, trumpet-shaped nose and deltoid moustache above a broad lower lip; above, curved suspension hook with horse-head detailing to the end and segmented mane; below, a triangular beast-head with narrow muzzle and ovoid ears, almond-shaped eyes. 8.47 grams, 45 mm



Found Sutton Fields, Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on 27 May 2005. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday incorrectly identified as Romano-Celtic. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.