A rare and unusual Anglo-Saxon copper-alloy strap-end in the form of a stylised wolf’s head, circa 9th Century AD. The split attachment end retains two large, circular silver rivets. The engraved features of the wolf’s head inlaid with black niello, highlighted with silver wire. This very rare and unusual piece was found by metal detectorist in Norfolk in 2012. Because of the silver content, it was classified as treasure, though it has since been disclaimed. The item is sold with a copy of PAS report and a letter from the British museum stating it has been considered as potential treasure and returned to the finder. This type of strap-end is peculiar to East Anglia.

'This highly distinctive style of decoration is restricted to strap-ends and contemporary hooked tags. The most narrowly distributed of the types, with over 85% of its 100 findspots falling within Suffolk & Norfolk, the majority of such strap-ends are likely to be of East Anglian origin.'

Dimensions: 38 mm x 17 mm.

Classification: Thomas Class A, Type 5 (Silver wire); Haldenby, Group 10.

References: Gabor Thomas, (2003) Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age strap-ends 750-1100: Part 1 Finds Research Group AD 700-1700, Datasheet 32. 

David Haldenby, A Study of 9th Century Anglo-Saxon Strap-ends, Treasure Hunting, Dec 1997-Apr 1998.

PAS: (2012 T188) NMS-F64615.