Art of the Anglo-Saxon Goldsmith: Fine Metalwork in Anglo-Saxon England: Its Practice and Practitioners (Anglo-Saxon Studies) - Hardcover

Coatsworth, Elizabeth; Pinder, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0851158838 ISBN 13: 9780851158839

Publisher: Boydell Press, 2002

Synopsis

Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, goldsmiths produced work of a high standard in both design and craftsmanship, both for personal adornment, and to embellish bookbindings, reliquaries, vessels and weapons. Some works are well known, particularly the magnificent gold and garnet regalia from Sutton Hoo, but this represents only a fraction even of the surviving work, and much more has been lost. This book is the first to look at the goldsmiths' products through the eyes of both a specialist in the period and a practical craftsman, combining close examination of the surface and structure of the objects with analysis of inscriptions and evidence for design, and with literary and visual sources of evidence for smiths and their work. Archaeological and documentary evidence for workshops, tools and working processes is also assessed, and up-to-date technical information on materials and techniques is juxtaposed with new practical research to throw light on manufacturing and decorative processes, and, more widely, to give a fresh idea of the position of the goldsmith in his society.

Dr ELIZABETH COATSWORTH is Senior Lecturer in the Department of History of Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University; Dr MICHAEL PINDER is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture, Landscape and 3DD, at the same university.

About this title

Review:

In its sharp observation, lucid presentation, and masterful synthesis of information, [this book] represents a significant and most welcome contribution to early medieval archaeology, art history, and history of science. TECHNOLOGY & CULTURE

Ambitious and wide-ranging.[...] Should be consulted as a first step by anyone with a serious interest in Anglo-Saxon metalwork. COLLEGE ART ASSOCIATION online.

About the Author:

Dr Elizabeth Coatsworth is Senior Lecturer at the Department of History of Art & Design, Manchester Metropolitan University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Boydell Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0851158838
• ISBN 13: 9780851158839
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 318