019856 Anglo-Saxon ‘Axe Head’ Amulet Pendant 019856

Copper-alloy, gilt, 1.65 grams, 16.68 mm. 6th-7th century AD. A finely detailed pendant in the shape of an axe head with a broad bilinear gilded border with a section of transverse billeting on each edge. Pendants in the shape of weapons are a known custom of Germanic females from later Roman times; the commonest shape is the shield (the ‘scutiform’ pendant), but miniature swords and spears are also known. Pelta-shaped fittings are a common format in the 6th and 7th centuries. The gilding is still present on the border. Reference: cf. West, S. A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Material from Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology, Ipswich, 1998, p.137 items 9, 10, 11, 12 and p.123 item 70. Very fine condition, loop complete and wearable. Provenance: from an old English collection.