Viking Age Twisted Bronze Wire Bracelet

With handle formed as stylised regardant beasts, openwork cells between, each head defined on both sides by a stamped dot-in-ring motif signifying an eye; iron below, also with an elaborate openwork design comprising a series of circles. 33.3 grams, 64 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Displaying a symmetrical openwork design of birds within a vinescroll; attachment pin to the reverse. 12.4 grams, 44 mm



Found Winteringham, Humberside, UK, in 1986.

Formed as an openwork outer shell, inner container and bottom plate; the upper face with central conical boss and four small satellite bosses each with a silver surface disc; to the outer face four pierced tongue-shaped panels with D-shaped finials proud of the upper face, each with a silvered element to the upper end; the bottom plate with integral catchplate and central void, four attachment pins to the underside; the upper face and sidewall executed in Urnes style zoomorphic openwork; the inner element a plain sheet-bronze container. 95 grams, 55 mm



Acquired in the 1950s. Ex private collection, South West England.

On the Baltic island of Gotland, high-ranking females wore 'box' (or 'drum') brooches to secure their outer garments at the shoulders. The inner container may have been used to hold small valuables.