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Crozier Head
Frankish
Early medieval
7th–8th century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Bone, brass inlay
Dimensions
Overall: 29.2 cm (11 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Otis Norcross Fund
Accession Number68.51
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsEcclesiastical ornaments
DescriptionDeep brown patinated bone. Eight-sided shaft fastened by incised brass band with convex eight-sided knob, continuing in four-sided curve, terminating in dragon's head swallowing coiled tail of a serpent. Decorated with incised circles and dots. Metal pegs holding sections together. Broken at base and repaired.
ProvenanceRecovered from the Schelde River [see note 1]. By 1967, Hugo Oelze (d. 1967), Amsterdam; 1967, by inheritance to his brother, Dr. F.W. Oelze, Germany [see note 2]; 1968, sold by F.W. Oelze to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 13, 1968)
Notes:
[1] See curatorial letter, dated December 8, 1978, in MFA files. The Schelde River flows through Northern France, Western Belgium to Antwerp and then out to the North Sea.
[2] Hugo Oelze had no will, see letter dated March 13,1968 from Hanns Swarzenski to Perry Rathbone in MFA curatorial file.
Notes:
[1] See curatorial letter, dated December 8, 1978, in MFA files. The Schelde River flows through Northern France, Western Belgium to Antwerp and then out to the North Sea.
[2] Hugo Oelze had no will, see letter dated March 13,1968 from Hanns Swarzenski to Perry Rathbone in MFA curatorial file.