Viking Bronze Bird Brooch with Cross

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.

With vertical bands and beast-head finials, high-relief braid detailing. 40.9 grams, 79 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The bracelet finds comparison with those of the Proto-Baltic Finnic Culture. In the Pre-Viking and Viking ages, later forms of this bracelet type were used in Baltic lands mainly in north-western Estonia, Virumaa, Järvamaa, and northern Tartumaa. The latest bracelets of this type, from the 9th century, display a longitudinal groove on their terminals. All bracelets with thickening terminals have been usually found in burials, hoards, or as stray finds.

Mainly openwork plaques bird-shaped with voids and low-relief detailing. 17.2 grams total, 22-39 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.