Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Viking / late Saxon Period, ca. 8th to 12th century CE. A beautiful gilt copper alloy brooch of discoid form featuring a raven on the face. The brooch is hammered into a thick disc, then covered with a 70% gold gilt (equivalent to 17K). The gilt highlights the decorative relief and incised imagery of a stylized raven with wing outstretched. Three circles surround the bird, and the outer periphery of the face has a notched border. The verso contains the remains of the pin and clasp, with a rich russet and green patina that has formed over the ages. Size: 0.90" Diameter (2.3 cm); gold quality: 70% (equivalent to 17K); weight: 5.6 grams
Provenance: private Carmichael, California, USA collection, acquired in the 1990s
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#167459
Condition
Areas of green patina on the face. Heavy russet and green patina on verso and mineral deposits on the pin and clasp; Loss to pin and does not articulate. Gilt is largely intact with a few chips on the raven, but details are sharp.