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LOT 1672
Visigothic Bronze Bird Brooch
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/8 in. (10 grams, 55 mm).
Comprising: headplate formed as two addorsed bird-heads on arched necks, each with a discoid eye and hooked beak beneath; vrow bow with median band and chip-carved edges; bow-sided foot with chip-carved ornament, bird-head finial with eye and hooked beak; remains of ferrous pin to reverse, catchplate. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx European collection, 1990s.
Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Cf. Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, item 154 (1,2), for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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Langobardic Gold Bishop's Ring with Amethyst
7th-8th century AD.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £7,500
A finely crafted ring featuring a prominent square bezel adorned with stylised crucifixes, flanked by outward-facing birds with hooked beaks and large ring-and-dot eyes, the bezel set with a polished amethyst pebble; keeled decorative hoop with three integral collars at the base. 11.38 grams, 34.70 mm overall, 17.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12983-245992.
The Langobards (or Lombards) were a Germanic people who invaded and ruled much of the Italian Peninsula from 568 to 774 AD. Their kingdom, known for its fusion of Germanic and Byzantine artistic traditions, persisted until the Carolingian conquest under Charlemagne. A Bishop’s ring is a large, often ornate ring worn by bishops as a symbol of their office and spiritual authority. Traditionally, it signifies the bishop’s commitment to the Church and is considered a mark of his episcopal dignity. -
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Carolingian Bone Comb
8th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £270
Lentoid in section with thick-cut teeth to one edge and fine-cut to the other. 15.09 grams, 82 mm
Ex private central European collection. with Tkalec AG, Limmatquai 48, Zurich, early 2000s. Acquired from the above, 2006. -
Visigothic Bronze Bird Brooch
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising: headplate formed as two addorsed bird-heads on arched necks, each with a discoid eye and hooked beak beneath; vrow bow with median band and chip-carved edges; bow-sided foot with chip-carved ornament, bird-head finial with eye and hooked beak; remains of ferrous pin to reverse, catchplate. 10 grams, 55 mm
Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
