Accession No

1948.1426 B


Description

Cast copper alloy cruciform brooch. Rectangular headplate with rectangular central panel, decorated with punchmarks; narrow wings also decorated with punchmarks. Integral top knob with a central, three-dimensional anthropo-zoomorphic mask flanked by two bird's heads in profile. The side knobs are detachable and detached, lacking the central mask but otherwise similar to the top knob; each with remains of attachment points for the connecting bar, one with evidence of a possible lost historic repair. Low-arched bar with rectangular section areas at top and bottom; flat panel is decorated with punchmarks and scrolled lappets. Horse head foot with subtle brow, protruding eyes and longitudinal punchmarks; nostrils are abstracted into the form of bird's heads in profile. On the reverse, the pin bar lug and catchplate are present; remains of iron pin or connecting bar present.


Place

Europe; British Isles; England; Cambridgeshire; Little Wilbraham; Streetway Hill


Period

Anglo Saxon late 6th century


Source

Neville, Richard Cornwallis (4th Lord Braybrooke) [excavator]


Department

Arch


Reference Numbers

1948.1426 B


Cultural Affliation


Material

Metal; Copper alloy; ?Bronze


Local Term


Measurements

130mm


Events

Context (Analysis)
Bow has been drilled on reverse of bow for analysis. The date and results of the analysis are unknown.
Event Date
Author: Lily Stancliffe


Description (Physical description)
Large. Developed. Cruciform. Detached side knobs. Side and head knobs and foot made in confronted bird head, openwork pattern. Very debased bird head lappets. Stylised horse head. Side knobs attached by extension from spring bar. Scollop engraving round parallel head, below bow and down horse's nose. One side lappet missing; Bird Head; Horse Head
Event Date
Author: maa


Context (Field collection)
Grave 105, 1851.
Event Date 1851
Author: maa


Context (References)
Neville, Richard C. (1852). Saxon Obsequies: Illustrated by Ornaments and Weapons Discovered by the Hon. RC Neville, in a Cemetery near Little Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, During the Autumn of 1851. J. Murray.
Event Date 1852
Author: Lily Stancliffe


Description (Physical description)
Sarah-Jane Harknett: 'Both lappets are present.'
Event Date 22/3/2001
Author: Lily Stancliffe


Description (Physical description)
Cast copper alloy cruciform brooch. Rectangular headplate with rectangular central panel, decorated with punchmarks; narrow wings also decorated with punchmarks. Integral top knob with a central, three-dimensional anthropo-zoomorphic mask flanked by two bird's heads in profile. The side knobs are detachable and detached, lacking the central mask but otherwise similar to the top knob; each with remains of attachment points for the connecting bar, one with evidence of a possible lost historic repair. Low-arched bar with rectangular section areas at top and bottom; flat panel is decorated with punchmarks and scrolled lappets. Horse head foot with subtle brow, protruding eyes and longitudinal punchmarks; nostrils are abstracted into the form of bird's heads in profile. On the reverse, the pin bar lug and catchplate are present; remains of iron pin or connecting bar present.
Event Date 14/12/2020
Author: Lily Stancliffe


FM:19231

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