The Celts and Britons had occupied Britain for centuries before the arrival of the Romans, and later the Anglo-Saxons. They had developed their own styles epitomized by the famous knot-work designs we know so well today. A blending of these styles and skills over the centuries resulted in the English art forms which have influenced the Western World as a whole.

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

Belt Buckle
This piece in gold filigree and garnets is early 9th
Century  and demonstrates Frankish and Byzantine
influence.

  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.