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Saxon Silver-Gilt Pin with Beast Heads Saxon Silver-Gilt Pin with Beast Heads Saxon Silver-Gilt Pin with Beast Heads
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Details

LOT 1504

Saxon Silver-Gilt Pin with Beast Heads

8TH CENTURY A.D.

3 in. (2.91 grams, 76 mm).

With a flat, tongue-shaped head connected to the shaft by a rectangular collar; the shaft with a bulbous 'rib’ approximately 20 mm from the tip; the upper portion of the head with radiate detailing and a Trewhiddle Style zoomorph; recessed panel with knotwork motif below, within an elliptical panel with lateral flanches towards the base. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Ex Lord McAlpine collection.
Ex David Miller collection.

Published

Hammond, B., British Artefacts, volume 2 - Middle Saxon & Viking, Witham, 2010.

Literature

Cf. Webster, L & Backhouse, J., The Making of England. Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600-900, London, 1991, p.96-7, fig.69e-f.

Footnotes

Dress pins of this period are often 'hipped', with a small bulb about two-thirds of the length of the shank in order to secure them in the weave of the fabric. The present piece is very delicate and would have been suitable only for a fine linen or silk garment of the highest quality.

CONDITION
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LOT 1504

Saxon Silver-Gilt Pin with Beast Heads

Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)

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