8th century AD. A convex gilt-bronze mount comprising a chip-carved plaque and beast-head finial; the plaque rectangular with a median panel of regular interlace, flange borders with a row of fine punched triangles and holes for attachment; the beast-head with segmented oval ears, chamfered lateral edges and keeled snout, raised nostrils to the lower edge, rows of fine triangular punchmarks to the top of the head below and above the ears, fine incised concentric curves radiating from below the eyes along the snout; both ears and one eye set with a small glass domed stud, the other eye opened out. Cf. Hammond, B. British Artefacts vol.2 - Middle Saxon & Viking, Witham, 2010, item 1.6-g with interlace panel, 1.6-i with concentric lines below the eyes and raised nostrils; Webster, L. & Backhouse, J. The Making of England. Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600-900, London, 1991, item 47. The mount belongs to a class of Irish or Irish-inspired beast-head mounts from Anglo-Saxon England in 8th century contexts. A facing beast-head with similar features appears on the Coppergate helmet (Webster & Backhouse, 1991, item 47) where it connects the gilt-bronze crest to the arched brows. It is probable that this Irish influence can be directly related to the close connections between the English church and Irish missionaries, although the artistic influence operated in both directions and created a characteristic Insular Style of decoration which appears on both sides of the Irish Sea and also in European contexts. The tiny scale of execution and the fineness of the detailing are difficult to reproduce photographically and must have been almost invisible to contemporary casual observers. 11 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Found near Thetford, Norfolk, UK.

Fine condition.