Anglo-Saxon Art

Anglo-Saxon art before roughly the time of Alfred (ruled 871–899) is mostly in varieties of the Hiberno-Saxon or Insular style, a fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic techniques and motifs. The Sutton Hoo treasure is an exceptional survival of very early Anglo-Saxon metalwork and jewellery, from a royal grave of the early 7th century. The period between Alfred and the Norman Conquest, with the revival of the English economy and culture after the end of the Viking raids, saw a distinct Anglo-Saxon style in art, though one in touch with trends on the Continent.

Anglo-Saxon art is mainly known today through illuminated manuscripts, including the Benedictional of St. Æthelwold andLeofric Missal, masterpieces of the late "Winchester style", which drew on Hiberno-Saxon art,Carolingian art and Byzantine art for style and iconography, and combined both northern ornamental traditions with Mediterranean figural traditions. The Harley Psalter was a copy of the Carolingian Utrecht Psalter — which was a particular influence in creating an Anglo-Saxon style of very lively pen drawings.

Manuscripts were far from the only Anglo-Saxon art form, but they have survived in much greater numbers than other types of object. Contemporaries in Europe regarded Anglo-Saxon goldsmithing and embroidery as especially fine. Perhaps the best known piece of Anglo-Saxon art is the Bayeux Tapestry which was commissioned by a Norman patron from English artists working in the traditional Anglo-Saxon style. The most common example of Anglo-Saxon art is coins, with thousands of examples extant. Anglo-Saxon artists also worked in fresco, ivory, stone carving, metalwork and enamel, but few of these pieces have survived. 

Anglo-Saxon art is a term that is used to describe art that was produced by the Anglo-Saxons during their presence inGreat Britain. This form of art became prominent after the reign of King Alfred. There was a rise in English culture during his reign, and this lasted until the 12th century. After this, Romanesque art became more popular. 

Before the rise of King Alfred, the Hiberno-Saxon style was the dominant art form of the day. The Hiberno-Saxon style was a mixture of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon artistic influences. Most historians today know of Anglo-Saxon art through the many manuscripts that existed at the time. Unfortunately, many examples of Anglo-Saxon art have not survived to the present day.

Some examples of art styles that were prominently used by the Anglo Saxons are Byzantine art, iconography, and Carolingian art. When it came to ornaments, the Anglo-Saxons borrowed stylistic influences from Mediterranean cultures. One of the most powerful examples of Anglo Saxon art is the Bayeux Tapestry. Many of the Anglo-Saxon artists worked with things such as metalwork, stone, and ivory. Many of these elements have been found by archaeologists working in the region. The churches in England give historians a good example of the artistic styles that influenced the Anglo-Saxons. The most important thing to realise about this style of art is that it did not emerge from a single source. 

The Anglo-Saxons were known for borrowing the styles found in other cultures. However, they would also add their own distinct touch to any art they produced. These artists were also known for working with materials such as enamels. In addition to Byzantine art, the Anglo-Saxons also used the styles that were commonly used by the Norse. One of the most popular manuscripts that describe Anglo-Saxon art is the Benedictional of St. Ethelworld manuscript. The art that was created by this group of people is also prevalent in their architectural style.

  Fragment of cross shaft from St. Oswald's Priory, Gloucester; at right with added, but perhaps not inauthentic, color.

 Gold and garnet cloisonné (and mud); military fitting from the Staffordshire Hoard before cleaning.

 The English army flee, the final surviving scene of the Bayeux Tapestry.

 The Bewcastle Cross

 This splendid circular brooch is made from hammered sheet silver. The centre part is decorated with five figures who represent the five human senses.

 Sutton Hoo, gold and niello belt buckle from ship burial. Big deal for nobility. The Green Knight (top of pg 118).


Sutton Hoo: Shortly before World War II, archaeologists uncovered in East Anglia a remarkable find: an apparently early seventh century grave monument made for an Anglo Saxon king. The monument was in the form of a long boat measuring approximately 86 feet. 

The absence of bones has led archaeologists to identify the monument as a cenotaph, or memorial. Scholars have long pointed to the parallels between this find and the following descriptions of funerary practices in the Old English poem Beowulf.

 Evangelist portrait from the Grimbald Gospels, early 11th century, in the late Winchester style.

 Shoulder-clasps from Sutton Hoo, early 7th century

 Anglo Saxon Jewelry

 

11th century ivory cross (preserved within church)

 Pentney Hoard- William King, found six silver Saxon brooches while digging a grave at the church. Not realising what they were, he handed them to the rector, who locked them in the vestry chest. Three years later the new rector, the Rev. John Wilson, recognised their significance, and they were subsequently identified by the British Museum as 9th century silver disc brooches of national importance, made of delicately cut and engraved sheet silver.

The Kingston Brooch This fine piece of Anglo-Saxon jewellery from the early 9th Century is also gold filigree with decoration of cuttlefish shell, garnets and lapis lazuli.

This purse and warrior helmet were a couple other items found at Sutton Hoo. Maybe the warrior helmet was Beowulf's???....

The Alfred JewelA beautiful example of decorative art from the late 9th Century. It is an enamelled portrait - said to be of King Alfred - holding two sceptres