Heading: Anglo Saxon Equal Ended Gilded Brooch or Mount, c7th Century

Material: Bronze

Period: Anglo Saxon

Date: 7th century

Origin: Western Europe, possibly Frankish Merovingian

Condition: Fine, attachment mechanism missing

Description: Equal-ended chip-carved brooch or mount with two square panels with chip-carved decoration in the form of four pointed ovals arranged to form saltires, some possible gilding is still present.

Size and Weight: 33mm x 12mm, 5g 

References: cf. Hattatt’s ‘Ancient Brooches’ p380

Features and Provenance: Ex Hanson's sale

Brooches as clothes fasteners have been made since the bronze age. As skills and metallurgy advanced, so did the size and detail of the fibulae. They were still used by the Romans and Anglo Saxons as buttons had yet to be invented. This type of brooch was an adapted plate brooch and their ornamentation indicated a degree of affluence by the wearer and their delicate structure points at them being used on equally delicate, expensive fabric.

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Code   RNC521