Viking Bronze Penannular Brooch with Dragon Heads

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.

Modelled in profile with radiating tripartite crest, triangular stub wing, splayed feet, catch and pin-lugs to the reverse. 10.9 grams, 38 mm



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

Bird brooches from the late Viking era have been found in Scandinavia as well in the English Danelaw, through to the early Norman era; such brooches can be dated to the 11th and even early 12th century.

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.