Copper-alloy, 105 grams, 137.29 mm. Circa 6th-7th century AD. This is a fine, rare example of a great square-headed brooch. The headplate is divided into inner and outer zones by a beaded moulding. On the sides of the outer zone are scroll motifs; the corners feature reserved leaf-shaped designs again with beaded moulding. Across the upper edge is a band of three-band interlace. The inner field is edged with punched pellet designs, and a central triangular setting holds an impressive garnet cloison. Loops of beaded mouldings in Style I suggest a pair of animal shapes. The lower field above the bow contains a suggested face. On the upper bow another sub-triangular garnet is set, and below this there is an empty socket, perhaps for another garnet or more probably an organic fill such as bone or ivory. (Alternatively, this may have been the attachment point for a separate casting, but if so this would be unique on such a brooch.) A mirror-image sub-triangular field is marked out below the socket with beading. From the junction of the bow and footplate spring two necks with animal heads which extend to meet the circular side projections, containing roundels with an outer border of beading. Fields of Style I zoomorphic decoration flank the central field, a panel of three-band interlace. The base is a larger circular panel with a beaded roundel. This brooch illustrates well how certain themes of decoration (in this case beading, three-band interlace, roundels) are continued throughout the design of the piece. Reference: Hines, J. A New Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Great Square-Headed Brooches, Woodbridge, 1997 and MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E. A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals) BAR British Series 230, 1993, p.114 item 13.6. Good very fine condition. Found Ludford.