Viking Bronze Boar's Head Brooch

The three arms with rounded terminals and domed outer face; the filigree interlace motif embellished with granulations and larger pellets, highly stylised dragonesque heads with slanted eyes and curled moustaches facing outwards from the end of each arm; reverse slightly concave, featuring a pin lug and catchplate, together with two articulate suspension loops. 17.3 grams, 58 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11894-206847.

In the form of an equine creature modelled in the round with long beak and arched neck; panels of gilded Style I ornament to each lateral face, stepped band with punched detailing extending from the ears to the chest; rounded rump with pointillé detailing; hollow mounting socket to the underside. 13.6 grams, 42 mm



Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11895-204402.

The socket on the underside suggests that the mount was placed prominently, perhaps on the crest of a helmet. Zoomorphic helmet mounts are known e.g. the boars on the Benty Grange and Wollaston examples, though these are not so detailed as the present example. The item is too small to be seen from afar but is ornate enough to attract attention at close quarters. Stylistically, the piece might have been made in southern Scandinavia or in an Anglian area of England in the later 5th or 6th century A.D.

Sheet-gold twibill pendant with filigree detailing. 0.53 grams, 14 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.