Anglo-Saxon shield boss -- myArmoury.com

Jeffrey Hildebrandt · Industry Professional

This is my reproduction of a boss excavated in 1923 from grave 182 in the Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Bidford-on-Avon.

The boss started as a welded cone, which I raised to form. The large button on the top is solid, and was welded on. The fittings are cast and gilt. The rivets are hand forged square-section nails with steel discs brazed to their heads. The steel parts have been heated to a dull red and dipped in linseed oil to obtain an iridescent black. Several layers of linseed oil were then baked on for additional darkness, depth and corrosion resistance.

weight, 750 g
height, 9 cm
width, 17 cm

I hope you like it.

-Hildebrandt

Tim Lison · Posted: Tue 10 Sep, 2013 8:05 pm Post subject:

That is gorgeous! I love the contrast of the black steel against the gold. Very rich. Are you planning to make a shield to go with it?

David Lewis Smith · Posted: Tue 10 Sep, 2013 8:05 pm Post subject:

Oh my word that is beautiful.

I have not seen any of the documentation from that grave at all but this is fantastically well done and would be a grand addition to any collection. It is right for the time, and it is truly art.

this may be untoward but if it is available i am very interested in it.

Jeffrey Hildebrandt · Industry Professional

Thank you both.

Tim, my patron has expressed his intention to eventually build a shield around this boss. I think it sounds like a very interesting endeavour, particularly after reading Symbols of Protection: The Significance of Animal-ornamented
Shields in Early Anglo-Saxon England by Tania M. Dickinson. It seems that the decoration of the shield may have been imbued with meaning, as well as aesthetic appeal.

David, I have responded to your message on FB. This particular boss was made to order, but I can take orders for them from anyone interested. It would be a shame to use the moulds I made for these fittings only once.

-Hildebrandt

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Absolutely lovely work and the black does contrast so well with the gold.

Really well done.

Tod

Matthew Bunker · Posted: Wed 11 Sep, 2013 12:38 am Post subject:

Absolutely lovely work.

Jack Smith · Posted: Wed 11 Sep, 2013 5:14 am Post subject:

please send me a pic soon! I've got to see this!

Jeffrey Hildebrandt · Industry Professional

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Wed 11 Sep, 2013 8:56 am Post subject:

Excellent job. It shows that the Anglo-Saxons were people of taste!

Jeffrey Hildebrandt · Industry Professional

Thanks, Paul. I couldn't agree more!

Jeffrey Hildebrandt · Industry Professional

Thanks, Paul. I couldn't agree more!

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Wed 11 Sep, 2013 2:19 pm Post subject:

That's quite striking. I would love to see an entire shield done up in this motif and color scheme.

Robin Smith · Posted: Wed 11 Sep, 2013 3:18 pm Post subject:

I saw this when you posted it on your FB... Stunning stunning work!

Robert Muse · Posted: Wed 11 Sep, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject: Shield Boss

Hello Patrick,

I hope to add a shield later. The reason I have been selling off swords is that I am moving overseas and need to keep down what I am taking. But later I will try a shield if I can get the parts I want to take with me.

Robert

Jim Adelsen · Industry Professional

Now that is a great looking boss. We don't see enough reproductions of the more decorated bosses. Good job.

Mark Griffin · Posted: Thu 12 Sep, 2013 5:45 am Post subject:

yet again, fabulous work. Would be keen to look at something more Scandinavian Jeff.

Griff

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Thu 12 Sep, 2013 6:32 am Post subject: Re: Shield Boss