Saxon Silver Buckle

With highly decorative openwork border of Style I ornament to the headplate formed as a rectangular median plate with lateral wings, enhanced with punched-pellet detail to the sides and top edge of each; raised central square panel with incised rosette; to the middle of each edge a Style I human mask in plan, formed as a T-shaped brow-and-nasal with two pellet eyes, with pairs of Style I profile bird-heads with curved beaks; the bow deep with facetting at each end; the footplate rectangular with Style I lappets; transverse collar above a finial Style I human mask with complex beard below; pin-lugs and scar for catchplate to reverse. 52 grams, 12.3 cm



Found Seaham, Co Durham, UK. Property of a Durham private collector.

Comprising a D-section hoop and discoid bezel with incuse lion walking right, similar to Anglo-Saxon coins of King Eadberht of Northumbria. 3.38 grams, 19.76 mm overall, 16.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Although the main themes represented on the bezels of Dark Ages rings were inspired by Christian themes, sometimes images of animals were also depicted. The lions were connected with Biblical interpretations and episodes in Byzantium as well as in the West.

Discoid in plan with low-relief regardant beast within a beaded border, remains of lug and catch to reverse. 6.78 grams, 28 mm



Found near Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, UK, on Sunday 1st September 2024. Acquired on the UK art market. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report no.SF-0A4178.