A unique early Anglo-Saxon bronze quoit brooch dating to the 5th or 6th century. The surface has been deeply engraved with a detailed interlacing pattern - reminiscent of a Roman laurel wreath. The thick gilding which is nearly all intact is as bright as the day it was lost. The iron pin has rusted away after years in the soil but this is always the case with these brooches, the only other damage is a few minor scrapes to the surface that appear to have happened during excavation. This type of brooch is named after the rings thrown in the game of quoits. This is the finest and most interesting example of its type I have seen outside of museums - usually quoit brooches are very plain, this remarkable piece must have belonged to an individual of high status. A highly evocative piece of Anglo-Saxon art found by metal detectorist in Oxfordshire in 1984.

Diameter: 46 mm. Weight: 13.7 g.

References: Benet's Artefacts: A07-0414.