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LOT 0329
Superb Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
6TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/2 in. (128 grams, 14 cm).
Of Hines's Group X with two discs on the headplate in a rectangular frame surrounded by a frieze of facing human masks, and another mask placed centrally above the junction with the bow; shallow bow with three ribs; curved horse-head lappets flanking a vertical shank with facing mask detailing, discoid lobes and an inverted mask below; pin-lugs to the reverse and solder-scar where the catchplate was attached.
ProvenanceFound near Grimsby, Humberside, UK, circa 2010.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11899-204377.
Cf. Hines, J., A New Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Great Square-Headed Brooches, London, 1997, pl. 101(a); Franceschi, G., Jorn, A. & Magnus, B., Mennesker, Guder og Masker i Nordisk Jernalderkunst, vol.1, Borgen, 2005; Mortimer, P., Woden's Warriors - Warriors and warfare in 6th-7th century Northern Europe, Ely, 2011.
FootnotesThe brooch has many of the characteristics of Hines's Group X but also bears a strong resemblance to an unclassified example from Barrington A, Cambridgeshire (Hines, 1997, pl.101). The frieze of facing masks which forms the border to the headplate has echoes of contemporary motifs found on the headplate of the brooch from Fridaythorpe (Hines, 1997, pl.8(b)) and the crests of helmets such as Valsgarde mounds 5 and 7 (Sweden) - see Mortimer, 2011, p.32-35). The inverted mask on the finial echoes the 7th century shield-fitting from Vall, Gotland (Franceschi et al, 2005, pl.209). The significance of the mask motifs has been discussed in the cited works of Franceschi et al and Mortimer. A link to generations of deified ancestors is one possibility.
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LOT 0329
Superb Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
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Anglo-Saxon and Viking Bronze Strap End Group
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising examples recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme: one of Thomas Class A Type 1, an Anglo-Scandinavian type with a zoomorphic scheme displaying a crouching beast; a second Thomas Class A type with elliptical plan, depicting the snout and eyes of a beast at one end, the creature's ears laid back against its body; a further Thomas Class A Type 1 example with two rivet holes, displaying an entwined beast with head in relief and remains of niello; four without PAS records comprising: one triangular in plan with entwined beast design and remains of niello; one tongue-shaped with design in relief and two rivet holes; a tapering strap end with crude zoomorph and one chipped edge; one entwined beast with possible cruciform design and remains of tinning or silvering. 30 grams total, 29-44 mm
Found Berkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copies of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report nos.BERK-A8E9E7, BERK-12A995, and BERK-A70390. -
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 Tinned Bronze Bird Brooch
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Displayed in profile facing right; remains of tinning; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 5.9 grams, 29 mm
Found Berkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.BERK-9B6095.
