Anglo Saxon piece - any idea what it is ?

[monacoauctions]

Can anyone give a positive ID on this Anglo-Saxon item ? the only thing i have ever seen similar was described as a "page marker" for a book. It is made from bronze @ 5 1/2 inches long and the hole is @ 1 1/2 diameter accross the widest point. The "head" of a creature is difficult to photograph but it looks like a wolf or dog, it's a mammal's head rather than a snake or dragon. The head as you can see is attached to a turned over piece that would function as a page marker. Never handled anything like this before so i wondered if anyone has seen a similar piece ? It was found in the North of England; there are some very tiny gilt areas so i would guess that it was once completely gilded. I am taking a guess from the style of head as late saxon era, i'm pretty shure it's not viking or Norman. Any ideas ?

 

[IronSpike]

Wow love this piece I would have guessed snake/serpant.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Is there something broken off the bottom do you know were in the North of England it was found ...I'm from there

SS

 

[monacoauctions]

the head has ears which is why i thought wolf, the pic's arn't very clear but there are representations on the head on both sides that must be ears so that rules out a snake.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Very Nice ...Id to have a go there

 

[Monty]

Swizzle stick? I don't really have a clue. Monty

 

[IronSpike]

Shepherd hook bookmark. Any chance it could be a rein terret?

Or maybe a hat or hair pin (barrette)?

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...?q=barrettes&ndsp=20&hl=en&sa=N&start=80&um=1

 

[BuckleBoy]

Maybe send a PM to Crusader--perhaps he has seen something like this in one of his books?

 

[Silver Searcher]

Is there something broken off the bottom do you know were in the North of England it was found ...I'm from there

SS

Guess your not telling but if you had given a rough area, I might have been able to help or you could PM me if you like just trying to help :P

SS

 

[CRUSADER]

Maybe send a PM to Crusader--perhaps he has seen something like this in one of his books?

sorry can't help

 

[monacoauctions]

from what i can tell the shaft/pin has been shortened, it looks like it's been cut with something rather than snapped; it was found somewhere near the Ribble Valley but i don't have an exact spot.

 

[CRUSADER]

All I can think of, is it seems to have a notch which might have held a pin (similar to annular brooches). I guess being quite small it could be a kind of brooch/pin combination.

 

[Silver Searcher]

from what i can tell the shaft/pin has been shortened, it looks like it's been cut with something rather than snapped; it was found somewhere near the Ribble Valley but i don't have an exact spot.

Is the gap in the ring, a peice that's broken away or a notch

SS

 

[haybudden2]

early moncle ?

Hay2

 

[IronSpike]

early monocle ?

Hay2

Just make sure the monocle is placed to the eye with the wolf facing outwards

Could it be an old key?

 

[kieser sousa/rip]

One of them things used to blow bubbles. Sorry just kidding ! Cool find.

 

[IronSpike]

Knife handle ?

Missing end piece utensil like spoon or fork

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Our English members (SS and Cru) have the best chance of solving this.

The first thing I thought was magnifying glass or monacle but its just a very wild guess. Does it look as if it held a lens?

Another thought would be a clinch or clevis pin or large cotter pin. The animal head is just right for pulling out with a finger. Again Im just guessing.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Our English members (SS and Cru) have the best chance of solving this.

The first thing I thought was magnifying glass or monacle but its just a very wild guess. Does it look as if it held a lens?

Another thought would be a clinch or clevis pin or large cotter pin. The animal head is just right for pulling out with a finger. Again Im just guessing.

stuck on this one Bcy....the only thing I can through in the pot, is some kind of hair or cloak pin

SS

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Our English members (SS and Cru) have the best chance of solving this.

The first thing I thought was magnifying glass or monacle but its just a very wild guess. Does it look as if it held a lens?

Another thought would be a clinch or clevis pin or large cotter pin. The animal head is just right for pulling out with a finger. Again Im just guessing.

stuck on this one Bcy....the only thing I can through in the pot, is some kind of hair or cloak pin

SS

Cloak pin. Good idea. (not that I know anything about it ) http://www.flickr.com/photos/13573116@N07/3864564145/