Ancient and Islamic Coins, Antiquities

Anglo-Saxon, a gilt-bronze square-headed brooch, mid-late 6th century, the rectangular headplate has chip carved decoration with two oval eyes in the centre framed by ropework and straight border ridges; the bow is ridged with a central elevated disc; the extended footplate is openwork decorated with rope pattern in a triangular frame; recessed side lappets and terminal lobe would originally have had silver sheet appliqué decoration. Almost complete with a detached side lappet, most of the gilding remaining, the foot has bent slightly in the ground £3,000-£4,000

Provenance: Found in Leicestershire, 2021 (PAS NARC-529A29). This type of brooch represents the largest and most ostentatious bow brooch of the pagan period; worn by women as a symbol of their family status