Merovingian - Pair of Bronze Brooches > Lot No. 592

Description:
Circa 5th-6th century AD. A nicely detailed matched pair of Frankish copper-alloy bow brooches; the square head bearing a double border and billeted infill, with radiating lobed knobs; the shallow bow bearing a thickened, pelleted median rib and billeted decoration; the convex footplate bordered by pelleted bands enclosing a panel of billeting; the finial in the form of a zoomorphic head formed from a pelleted subtriangular feature with convex billeted panels on each side.

Measurements:
63 mm; 6.49 and 6.20 grams.

Condition:
Generally fine with one brooch having a break at the centre repaired.

References:
Smith, 1923, plate XIV no.11.

Provenance:
Ex English collection.

Export licence:
No

Estimate: £50 - 70 (EUR 60 - 80; USD 80 - 110)

Auction date: Friday 19th March 2010 at The Swedenborg Hall 20-21 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2TH

Sold for: £60