Viking Age Twisted Silver Bracelet

D-section bar with fan-shaped hatched flanges at the centre flanking the socket; six ribbed knops to the outer face, beast-head finials; one attachment pin to the underside. 54 grams, 15.5 cm



From a North Yorkshire, UK, private collection. Acquired from Adam Partridge Auctioneers, Macclesfield, UK. Property of Mr A.B., an American collector.

Domed bronze stud with traces of gilding and enamel, silver stud at apex; embedded in a circular block of lead to form a trade weight or gaming piece; two silver discs (or ends of a silver loop) to the underside. 24.7 grams, 20 mm



Found Suffolk, UK. From an old private collection of Norfolk, UK, gentleman, formed since 1998. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-C85DE6.

Trade weights and gaming pieces in Anglo-Scandinavian culture were often formed by taking a small and finely-made pre-existing item and embedding it into a lead matrix. The effect of this practice has been to preserve smaller pieces which would otherwise not have survived.

Comprising: two elliptical tortoise brooches, each a domed openwork shell with raised ornament of five bell-shaped studs and four Borre Style beasts; frieze of profile beasts to the lower edge and flange rim; catchplate, pin-hinge and pendant attachment bar to the reverse with mineralised remains of textile backing; repaired. 218 grams total, 10.8-11.5 cm



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