Viking Noblewoman's Bronze Headdress Fragments

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.

Disc with integral suspension loop secured at the reverse; beaded wire rim enclosing a filigree motif of a beast in profile with its head turned backwards towards its own raised tail. 4.61 grams, 38 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.

With integral loop; the openwork plaque with banded border and four panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping three-fingered hands to the body and border, two detailed feet, clearly visible facing mask below the loop with pellet eyes. 5.7 grams, 35 mm



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