6th-7th century AD. A silver-gilt drinking horn finial comprising a stylised bird-head with pellet eye and coiled beak, loop below for attaching of a suspension thong, tapering curved neck with bulb collar and triangular panels of Style I ornament, plain band with holes for fixing pins. Similar to the mount from one of the Taplow barrow drinking horns, now in the British Museum (accession number 1883,1214.19"). 36.10 grams, 10cm (4").Property of a European gentleman; acquired in continental Europe in the late 1960s-early 1970s; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 620/135100.Fine condition, usage wear.