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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]
ProvenanceEx Lord McAlpine collection.
Ex David Miller collection.
Hammond, B., British Artefacts, volume 2 - Middle Saxon & Viking, Witham, 2010.
LiteratureCf. Webster, L & Backhouse, J., The Making of England. Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600-900, London, 1991, p.96-7, fig.69e-f.
FootnotesDress 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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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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Anglo-Saxon Large Bronze Cruciform Bow Brooch
Late 5th-early 6th century A.D.Estimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £140
Of Martin's Type 3.2.4 (Holywell Row) featuring a trapezoidal headplate with lateral trapezoidal panels, domed knop above; deep bow with facetted ends, T-shaped footplate with lateral lappets, horse-head finial with discoid nostrils; complete ferrous pin and catchplate to the reverse, hollowed reverse to the horse-head. 71 grams, 13.5 cm
Acquired circa 1995. From an East Anglian private collection.
The Holywell Row type in Martin's analysis extends from the northern shore of the Thames Estuary as far as Yorkshire, but with a cluster in the Cambridge area. The edges of the headplate show the faintest traces of punched detailing, if this is not the result of the original clean-up when the brooch was taken from its mould; similar marks can be discerned on the footplate below the junction with the bow. The finial shows little zoomorphic detailing but the nostrils are characteristic of the type. The presence of the pin is remarkable. -
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. -
Saxon Period Bronze and Lead Artefact Collection
6th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Comprising: two lead spindle whorls, one biconvex and the other plano-convex; a bronze buckle plate with niello detailing; a fragment of a mount with low-relief knotwork ornament; a bronze strap end with inlaid silver ornament, stylised beast-head finial. 66.2 grams total, 20-46 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. The strap end from Lincolnshire, 1970s. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.
