Cultural Background/Time Period: Middle Anglo-Saxon
Production Date: Mid-9th Century
Origin/Discovery Location: Europe, specifically in the British Isles, England, Norfolk (North Elmham)
Materials Used: Copper alloy, niello
Description: This artifact is a copper-alloy cast censer with a distinctive design. It features an open bowl with a flat base and a rim embellished with openwork arches standing on rectangular bases. The rim is encircled by three engraved lines.
The body of the bowl is divided into six vertical panels by triple engraved lines. Originally, there were suspension chains attached to the censer, but these chains have been lost over time. Instead, three upward-pointing animal heads are riveted to the rim. These animal heads have snub-nosed muzzles, prominent lenticular eyes, rounded ears, and stylized manes in the form of a comma. The foreheads of these animal heads are decorated with incised notches inlaid with niello, which is a black metallic alloy.
This Middle Anglo-Saxon censer represents a unique and intricate example of the craftsmanship of the era. Its design, including the openwork arches and the stylized animal heads with niello inlay, showcases the artistic sophistication of the time, and it provides valuable insights into the cultural and religious practices of the Middle Anglo-Saxon period in the mid-9th century.