Description:

Northern Europe, Anglo-Saxon England, ca. 7th to 10th century CE. A nicely preserved portion of an iron shackle, with a curved fetter and a thick chain composed of openwork cross-forms interlinked with folded over ovoids. Slavery was commonplace in Anglo-Saxon England, with many slaves being native Britons (who, likewise, kept Saxons as slaves - both groups captured in battle or raided from villages). Criminals or debtors could also become slaves. Interestingly, the later Anglo-Saxon period also saw the rise of prisons, with royal estates containing small prisons where prisoners were kept in iron shackles like this one. Size when fully extended as possible: 6.7" W x 14.2" H (17 cm x 36.1 cm)

The form is similar to some Late Anglo-Saxon shackles found at Winchester, UK, as documented in "Anglo-Saxon Deviant Burial Customs" by Andrew Reynolds (2009), Oxford University Press, figure 3, pg. 17.

Provenance: ex-private Green collection, York, England, United Kingdom

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#136926

  • Condition: Nice red-brown patina. Most of the joints are frozen in place.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

September 27, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000