Rare British found Carolingian silver gilt mount. Circa 850 - 1000 CE. An impressive Medieval

Rare British found Carolingian silver gilt mount. Circa 850 - 1000 CE. An impressive Medieval zoomorphic cast silver mount decorated with a deeply moulded pattern of acanthus leaves on the sloping edges. At the centre is a rectangular panel displaying a quadruped shown in profile, head to the right, but facing forwards. The beast has large looped ears and a square snout. Ref: Thomas, G., 2012. Carolingian Culture in the North Sea World: Rethinking the Cultural Dynamics of Personal Adornment in Viking-Age England. European Journal of Archaeology 15, pp. 486–518. Silver, 41.0mm x 31.4mm, 33.7g. Recorded on the PAS database: SWYOR-AD90E5. Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the mount’s surface, undertaken by Dr Laura Perucchetti at the British Museum, indicated a precious metal content of approximately 67-69% silver with other elements present. Weight:33.31g Size:41.0mm