Bidspirit auction | SAXON ERA BRONZE-GILT HEAD-SHAPED APPLIQUE

SAXON ERA BRONZE-GILT HEAD-SHAPED APPLIQUE - Ca. AD 900 - 1000. An applique depicting a bearded Viking male head in profile, showcasing incised linear detailing on the beard and hair, along with prominent facial features presented in stylised relief. The schematic representation of the face, characterised by its simplified geometry and expressive modelling, aligns with the iconographic vocabulary of Viking martial or decorative art. For similar see: J. G. Campbell, Viking Art, Thames and Hudson 2021, f. 35, p. 41. Size: 21mm x 20mm; Weight: 10g Provenance: London collection; Ex. Mayfair collection, acquired from an Ancient Art gallery; formerly acquired on the London art market pre-2000. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. Reviewed by Sami Fortune, an ancient jewellery specialist.