LOT 0353

'The Powys' Hiberno-Norse Viking Gilt Bronze Pseudo-Penannular Brooch

8TH CENTURY A.D.

5 1/4 in. (74.4 grams, 13.2 cm).

Comprising: hoop formed from two convergent crescentic flat-section arms with panels of Insular Style interlace to the obverse, the left arm with two later holes (to accept a securing chain or thong); at each wide end, a trapezoidal panel with regardant beast motif and three discoid cells; at the upper junction, a panel of two-strand interlace; between the wide ends, a narrow rectangular panel with interlace motif; the pin slightly hipped and with round-section shank, triangular headplate with three disc cells (one with amber fill) and central interlace panel; some gilding remaining.

Found by Mr Steven Thomas whilst searching with a metal detector in Powys, Wales, UK, on 28th July 2023.

Accompanied by a copy of the Cymru Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SN 91399 13122; NMGW-67571D.
Accompanied by a condition report and analysis, no.012501 by the Nation Museum of Cardiff.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12730-236283.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Cf. Youngs, S. (ed.), The Work of Angels. Masterpieces of Celtic Metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD, London, 1989, for general treatment of Insular metalwork; Stevenson, R.B.K., The Hunterston Brooch and its Significance, Medieval Archaeology vol.18, 1974; Redknap, M., Insular Non-Ferrous Metalwork from wales of the 8th to 10th Centuries, in Bourke, C. (ed.), From the Isles of the North. Early Medieval Art in Ireland and Britain, Belfast, 1995; Rynne, E., Gilt Bronze Brooch from Near Kilshanny, Co.Clare, in North Munster Antiquarian Journal, vol.30, 1988.

The brooch is 'pseudo-penannular' because of the apparent gap between the flared terminals is blocked by the small rectangular panel; thus the pin cannot pass between the flared ends in the normal manner of a penannular brooch, where one of the curved arms is passed behind the pin to lock it in place. The findspot lies close to a major highway running from the kingdom of Brycheiniog to the southern part of Wales, not far from the Maen Madoc inscribed stone.