Early Anglo-Saxon, circa 5th or 6th century

Reputedly from Cornwall, England;
private collection, Ireland, probably since the mid 19th century, certainly prior to 1950

Given the age of the cruciform brooch the condition is good overall with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is general wear to the gilding and silvering throughout, particularly to the high points and to the silvering on the upper terminal. The silvering may in fact be another metal designed to mimic silver. There are some traces of greening, particularly to the upper terminal and to the crevices. There are nicks and scratches, particularly at the edges. There is oxidation to the pins to the reverse. Particular greening to the reverse. There are fragments of cloth to the reverse. There is general wear to the glazed wood frame. Staining and dirt to the cloth backing and oxidation to the metal pins. The back is made in sections and is a little unstable when detached from the glazed front.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Cruciform Brooch is the subject of an extensive study by Toby. F. Martin (The Cruciform Brooch and Anglo-Saxon England, Woodbridge, 2015). Such brooches were worn in Scandinavia, Northern Germany and the Netherlands in the 5th century, but endured in Eastern England until the second half of the 6th century. As such, they are particularly associated with early Anglo-Saxon society. The function of these adornments was to fasten together thick garments. Martin describes a dazzling spectacle: 'Worn on the upper torso, they were often accompanied by festoons of coloured beads, glittering pendants and wrist-clasps, along with items dangling from a girdle such as purses, knives, keys and other paraphernalia. All in all, these were impressive, ostentatious costumes' (op. cit., p. 6). The present example is believed to have been found in Cornwall, though this provenance may be spurious given that the majority of finds have been in the East and North of England. The present brooch falls into Group 4 within Martin's typology and, in common with many brooches from that group, it is 'bichrome' (gilded) and incorporates motifs including beasts. Within this grouping it has close affinities with Type 4.7.1 ('Duston') and finds a strong comparison in the brooch from Rothley, Leicestershire, now in the Charnwood Museum (inv. no. ChM: A36-1990; Martin, op. cit., p. 293, no. 1303).