Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch
9th-11th century A.D. Composed of an elliptical domed body decorated with a transverse band of ribbed decoration featuring four facing masks with pellet eyes; the outer fields with zoomorphic tendril designs edged by a ropework border; geometric motif to the flange; transverse bar and remains of some fitting elements to reverse. Cf. MacGregor, A. et al., A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 4, for oval brooches; cf. Ewing, T., Viking Clothing, Strood, 2007, fig.36; cf. Franceschi, G., Asger, J. & Magnus, B., Mennesker, Guder og Masker i Nordisk Jernalderkunst, Bind 1, Silkeborg, 2005, figs.130-1. 71 grams, 93 mm (3 5/8 in.).

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

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