5th-6th century AD. A silver bow brooch comprising: discoid headplate with two lateral pairs of addorsed bird-heads, notched border and punched eyes, inset chalcedony cabochon and smaller lapis lazuli cabochon above; slender D-section bow; rhomboid footplate with notched edges and bird-heads, punched lugs, inset cabochons; pin-lugs to the reverse with ferrous pin and catch. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item IX.6.7. 41 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired on the London art market 1990s-2007. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.