Pre-Viking Bronze Brooch with Bull-Headed Lunar Pendants and Chain. 7th-8th century A.D. Comprising: a bow-brooch with chamfered edges to the shank and three transverse ribbed bars, scooped foot, the end of each bar with three holes to accept a length of chain formed of barrel-shaped links; four chains with a balustered stem and crescent pendant, the horns terminating in stylised bull-heads; the central chain terminating in a stylised wheel; longer chain attached to the outer bars; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXXV (5) for type, and pl.CXXVIII, for chronology. 670 grams total, chain: 23.5 cm (9 1/4 in.).

Acquired on the London art market, 1990s. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12737-234051. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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