#anglosaxonart

[thesilicontribesman]

The Fuller Anglo-Saxon Brooch, late 9th Century CE, The British Museum, London

This large Anglo-Saxon silver brooch is of extraordinary craftsmanship and perhaps belonged to a high-ranking churchman, or even a nobleman from the court of King Alfred the Great (871-899 CE). The central part is decorated with five figures representing each of the human senses. Sight is in the centre with large bulging eyes, and he is surrounded by Touch, Taste, Smell and Hearing, who can all be identified by their actions.

[alicedreamed]

from that time i found a risoprinter in osaka so i made a little zine using real recipes used in england over 1000 years ago, brought to you by my oc sanguine

the term "lǣċe-bōc", or "leechbook" in more modern english, more or less means "book of medicine". the zine is based on real recipes for maladies and sicknesses found in a book called Bald's Leechbook, as well as Lacnunga, which is a collection of Anglo Saxon medicial texts, charms and prayers. both these texts are extraordinary as they were both written about 1000 years ago and are some of very few if not the only surviving records of any medical practice in the dark ages in England. I really like the way the lines between what we might consider "magic" or "medical" are blurred in these texts, really making the world these recipes are from feel otherworldly and fantastical. this project was just an idea of how i could play with the texts. it was fun

i made a mistake in the printing files so the real zine covers are all hand finished in red pencil because i accidentally left out a layer 😭 but it made them all unique and special and i completely sold out

p.s. if you read all this you are awesome

[survivethejive]

Detail from an impressed leather Anglo-Saxon Seax sheath from Christchurch place in Ireland (photos by Matt Bunker). It is dated to the mid 11th century and displays Germanic interlace patterns of a type typical in continental Saxon art. We see interlace patterns of various styles from the migration era to the viking era on brooches, swords runestones etc - things that last. More rarely we find wooden examples such as church doors and viking ships engraved with intricate knotwork. But never assume that more perishable materials like leather were not equally adorned with these beautiful intricate patterns! Imagine a Germanic world filled with patterns and colours. Wherever they could, these people embellished their possessions with colours, previous metals and complicated interwoven knot like serpentine patterns. I wish this was reflected in dramatic representations and historical reconstructions of these peoples' clothing! #Germanicart #anglosaxonart #seax #leatherwork #medievalart #irishhistory #anglosaxonhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CEOdsOjAa7F/?igshid=vsm4ocxq8syq

[thesilicontribesman]

Anglo-Saxon Belt Buckle and Fittings, The British Museum, London

[thesilicontribesman]

Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon Great Gold Buckle, Early 600CE, The British Museum, London.

A masterpiece of early medieval craftwork, the buckle is made from over 400 grams of gold and black niello.

[thesilicontribesman]

The Escrick Ring, 400 to 600CE, The Yorkshire Museum, York.

Northumbría's Anglican Kings were wealthy, powerful and well-connected. This unique ring. with its large central sapphire, was probably made in france, within territory controlled by Merovingian royalty. It was possibly given to a local ruler as a diplomatic gift.

[thesilicontribesman]

The Fuller Anglo-Saxon Brooch, late 800s CE, The British Museum, London

The brooch depicts the five senses.

[thesilicontribesman]

The York Helmet, 8th Century CE, The Yorkshire Museum, York