PAIR OF VISIGOTHIC RADIATE HEADED BOW BROOCHES
Ca. 400-600 AD. A pair of bronze radiate bow brooches, with a semi-circular head featuring five radiating knobs. An arched bow connects the head to a polygonal plate and a bulging sub-rectangular terminal. The whole front of the brooch is covered with incised ring and dot motifs; the reverse is undecorated. One of the most important of the Germanic peoples, the Visigoths separated from the Ostrogoths in the 4th century AD, raided Roman territories repeatedly, and established great kingdoms in Gaul and Spain. The art produced during this period is largely the result of local Roman traditions combined with Byzantine influences. The effect of Germanic metalworking techniques is also seen in the decorative arts. Still, the ornamentation of these pieces owes nothing to Germanic artistic traditions. Instead, plant and animal motifs from the Mediterranean and Eastern traditions are used. Size: L:160mm / W:80mm ; 294g Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old British collection formed in the 1990s.

Estimate: GBP 300 - 600