Silver-gilt, 18.86 grams, 80.19 mm and 16.97 grams, 78.06 mm. 5th-6th century AD. A handsome pair of radiate-headed bow brooches in silver gilt. The headplate bears a chip-carved radiating maze or swastika pattern within a rectangular border on three sides decorated with offset opposed triangular punchmarks filled with niello. Discoid lobes surround the headplate, formed as a single moulding but segmented in deference to their original form as separately cast knobs. The bow is ribbed and has a broad central ridge with offset triangle (zigzag) decoration as on the headplate borders. The convex-sided footplate features borders of the same offset triangle decoration enclosing a vesica-shaped panel of chipcarved zigzag desgns. The fiial is in the form of an animal-head with prominent brow and muzzle and protruding eyes. The spring-lugs and catchplate are in place on the reverse. The finial is hollow-cast. Reference: cf. the bow-brooch from Herpes, France, in Smith, R.A. British Museum Guide to Anglo-Saxon Antiquities, Trustees of the British Museum, 1923, pl.XIV, item 11. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.