Saxon Bronze Strap End Collection

Discoid and hollow to the reverse with raised rim and shallow suspension hook with beast-head facetting; panel of three La Tène spirals and comma-leaf motifs, central void. 25.5 grams, 57 mm



Found near Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK, circa 2010. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11893-204384.

Bowl mounts in groups of three are believed to have adorned the rim of bronze cauldrons which were used for the public dispensing of beer or mead at feasts. They are usually decorated in a manner which suggests that they were made in the north or northwest of Britain, and were either traded with the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms or, more likely, they formed part of the circulation of prestige goods among leading families in ritualised gift exchange.

Including seven accompanied by Portable Antiquities Scheme records: an incomplete small-long brooch with ring-and-dot ornament; an incomplete small square-headed brooch with headplate featuring zoomorphic mouldings in Salin's Style 1; spindle whorl decorated with vertical striations; an incomplete small Kentish square-headed brooch; fragment of a great square-headed brooch; hooked tag with perforated oval head, Read Class A Type 2; disc brooch decorated with concentric circles and punched dots; together with other miscellaneous artefacts. 240 grams total, 19-45 mm



Found Berkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copies of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report nos.BERK-056093, BERK-725B84, BERK-25F9D1, BERK-04DF75, BERK-051CDB, BERK-0605B4, and BERK-05016C.

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.