6th century AD. A large silver-gilt radiate-headed bow brooch of Lombardic type with broad shallow bow, D-shaped headplate with heart-shaped scrolls and nine baluster-shaped radiating knobs to the outer edge supporting a median band; lozengiform footplate with low-relief Greek-key motifs, beast-head finial; raised borders with opposed triangle niello-filled punchmarks to the head- and footplate; to the reverse, an iron pin-mount set between the outer knobs of the headplate, deep catchplate. Cf. MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, items 99.1, 99.2. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence analysis certificate. 78 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s.

Very fine condition.