Anglo-Saxon Art
Overview
Anglo-Saxon art is a unique and distinctive style that developed in England during the period between the 5th and 11th centuries, with its peak during the 7th and 8th centuries. The style is characterized by its intricate interlacing patterns, animal imagery, and bold, bright colors. It reflects the values and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon people, as well as the cultural and historical context in which it emerged.
The Anglo-Saxon people were pagan until the arrival of Christianity in the 7th century. This transition had a significant impact on the art produced during this period. Initially, Christian art was heavily influenced by the art of the Mediterranean, but over time, the Anglo-Saxons developed their unique style that combined both their pagan and Christian beliefs.
Sutton Hoo Gold Shoulder Clasp
Key Characteristics
The Anglo-Saxon art style is characterized by its intricate patterns, geometric shapes, and bold, bright colors. The art was typically produced using a variety of media, including metalwork, stone carvings, and manuscript illumination.
One of the most significant features of Anglo-Saxon art is the use of interlacing patterns. These patterns are made up of a series of knots and loops that are woven together to create complex designs. These designs were used to decorate everything from jewelry to manuscripts and are still recognized as a hallmark of Anglo-Saxon art.
Another key characteristic of Anglo-Saxon art is the use of animal imagery. Animals such as birds, dogs, and wolves were commonly depicted in art, often in a stylized and abstract manner. These animals were not just decorative elements but were often used to convey symbolic meanings. For example, the wolf was a symbol of aggression, while the bird represented freedom and spiritual enlightenment.
The use of vibrant colors is also a characteristic of Anglo-Saxon art, especially in illuminated manuscripts. Bright colors, such as red, yellow, and blue, were used to create bold, striking designs. These colors were often created using natural pigments, such as lapis lazuli, which was sourced from Afghanistan. Some of the most famous examples of Anglo-Saxon illuminated manuscripts include the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.
Illuminated Manuscripts
Illuminated manuscripts were another significant aspect of Anglo-Saxon art, and they were highly valued for their beauty, rarity, and religious significance. The term “illuminated” refers to the colorful and intricate illustrations, borders, and initial letters that adorn the pages of these manuscripts.
Illuminated manuscripts were usually created by monks in monastic scriptoria, which were dedicated spaces where monks copied and decorated manuscripts. The production of illuminated manuscripts was a laborious and time-consuming process, involving multiple stages of copying, decorating, and binding.
The decoration of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts was heavily influenced by Celtic and Mediterranean art styles, which featured intricate interlacing patterns, animal imagery, and bright, bold colors. This can be seen in the famous Lindisfarne Gospels, which is one of the most famous Anglo-Saxon illuminated manuscripts. The Lindisfarne Gospels were created in the early 8th century, and they are decorated with a wide range of ornate designs, including interlacing knotwork, zoomorphic imagery, and ornamental initials. The manuscript is also notable for its vivid and bold use of color, including red, blue, and gold.
The religious significance of illuminated manuscripts cannot be overstated. The majority of illuminated manuscripts from the Anglo-Saxon period were religious texts, such as copies of the Bible, psalters, and liturgical books. These manuscripts were used in religious services and were also considered valuable objects of devotion.
Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels, incipit to the Gospel of Matthew, Cotton MS Nero D IV, British Library.
Image: Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels, incipit to the Gospel of Matthew, Cotton MS Nero D IV, British Library.
Metalworking
Metalworking was a crucial component of Anglo-Saxon art, and the production of metal objects such as jewelry, weapons, and tools was a highly skilled craft that required specialized knowledge and expertise. Metalworking techniques included casting, hammering, and engraving, and artisans often incorporated intricate interlacing patterns and animal imagery into their designs.
One of the most impressive examples of Anglo-Saxon metalworking is the Sutton Hoo helmet, which was discovered in the 1939 Sutton Hoo burial. The helmet is made of iron and is adorned with a series of intricate interlacing patterns and animal imagery, including images of soldiers, eagles, and horses. The helmet would have been a symbol of wealth and power, and it is believed to have been worn by a high-ranking warrior.
In addition to helmets, other metal objects, such as swords, shields, and jewelry, were also decorated with intricate interlacing patterns and animal imagery. These objects served as a symbol of status and were often buried with their owners in burial mounds.
Reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo Helmet, British Museum.
Items from the Staffordshire hoard which were declared to be treasure in September 2009.
The skill and artistry of Anglo-Saxon metalworkers is further evident in their use of precious metals such as gold, silver, and bronze. The Staffordshire hoard was discovered in 2009 by a metal detectorist in a field near Lichfield in Staffordshire, England. It consists of over 3,500 items, including gold and silver objects, some of which are decorated with intricate interlacing patterns and animal imagery. The hoard is believed to have been buried in the 7th century, during the time of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.
The objects in the hoard are thought to have been made by skilled metalworkers in Mercia or Northumbria, and they reflect the wealth and power of these kingdoms during this period. The Staffordshire Hoard is far larger than any other Anglo-Saxon hoard, and it contains many objects that are unique and previously unknown to scholars.
Monumental Sculpture
Anglo-Saxon monumental sculptures were another important aspect of Anglo-Saxon art, and they provide valuable insights into the religious, cultural, and political beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons. These sculptures were typically made of stone, and they were often used to mark important sites, such as churches, monasteries, and royal residences.
One of the most famous examples of Anglo-Saxon monumental sculpture is the Ruthwell Cross, which is located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The Ruthwell Cross is a large stone cross that dates back to the 8th century, and it is decorated with intricate interlacing patterns and scenes from the Bible. The cross is notable for its size and ornate decoration, which is similar to that found in Anglo-Saxon metalwork and illuminated manuscripts.
Another important example of Anglo-Saxon monumental sculpture is the Bewcastle Cross, which is located in Cumbria, England. The Bewcastle Cross is also a large stone cross that dates back to the 8th century, and it is decorated with intricate interlacing patterns and scenes from the Bible. The cross is notable for its depiction of Anglo-Saxon warriors, who are shown wearing intricate armor and carrying weapons such as swords and spears.
Anglo-Saxon monumental sculptures were also used to commemorate important individuals, such as kings, bishops, and saints. One notable example is the Gosforth Cross, which is located in Cumbria, England. The Gosforth Cross dates back to the 10th century, and it is decorated with scenes from the Bible, as well as depictions of Norse mythology. The cross is also inscribed with runes, which provide important information about the individuals who commissioned the cross.
Ruthwell Cross, East Face, middle
Related Topics
Further Research & References
Shoulder Clasp – https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1939-1010-4-a
Ruthwell Cross – https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/ruthwell-cross
Bailey, Richard N. Viking Age Sculpture. London: British Museum Publications, 1980.
Budny, Mildred. “The Interlace Motif in Anglo-Saxon Art: Its Origins and Meanings.” Gesta 22, no. 1 (1983): 3-22.
Dodwell, C.R. The Pictorial Arts of the West, 800-1200. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993.
Henderson, George. From Durrow to Kells: The Insular Gospel-Books 650-800. London: Thames and Hudson, 1987.
Henderson, George. “The Art of the Book in the Seventh Century.” In Anglo-Saxon Art: Recent Developments, edited by Leslie Webster and Janet Backhouse, 79-96. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports, 1981.
Hills, Catherine. Anglo-Saxon Art: A New History. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2012.
Hill, David. “The Iconography of the Sutton Hoo Shoulder Clasp.” Journal of the British Archaeological Association 135, no. 1 (1982): 1-22.
Kendrick, T.D. Anglo-Saxon Art to A.D. 900. London: British Museum Publications, 1984.
Meehan, Bernard. The Book of Kells. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994.
Meehan, Bernard. “The Insular Style and Anglo-Saxon Art.” Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 80 (1980): 39-66.
Morris, Marc. The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, 400-1066. New York, NY: Pegasus Books, Ltd., 2021.
Nordenfalk, Carl. Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Painting: Book Illumination in the British Isles, 600-800. New York: George Braziller, 1977.
Stenton, F.M. Anglo-Saxon England. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971.
Webster, Leslie. “The Iconography of Early Anglo-Saxon Coinage.” In Anglo-Saxon Art: A New Perspective, edited by Catherine E. Karkov, 17-32. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1986.
Webster, Leslie. Anglo-Saxon Art. New York: Cornell Paperbacks, 2012.
Webster, Leslie, and Janet Backhouse. The Making of England: Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture, A.D. 600-900. London: British Museum Publications, 1991.
Wilson, David M. Anglo-Saxon Art: From the Seventh Century to the Norman Conquest. London: Thames and Hudson, 1984.
Photos:
Sutton Hoo Shoulder Clasp:
British Museum, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sutton Hoo Helmet:
B. Carlen. Copyright www.theanglosaxons.com, 2022.
Staffordshire Hoard Items:
David Rowan, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons