9th-10th century A.D. A brooch setprising: a matched pair of scaphoid domed brooches, the precursor to the more elaborate two-part 'tortoise' brooches, each an elliptical dome 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; plain outer flange, integral pin-bar to reverse with thick catchplate and angled loop; short length of chain with figurative boar's head dangle, decorated with pricked dots; longer length of chain. 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. 293 grams total, 8.7 - 74.5 cm (3 3/8 - 29 3/8 in.). Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate no.11405-192367. [4]