This volume investigates the stylistic and technical evolution of Anglo-Saxon ornamental metalwork produced between 700 and 1100 AD. David A. Hinton, drawing upon the extensive collections of the Ashmolean Museum, provides a systematic analysis of these artifacts to establish a chronological and typological framework. The work serves as a primary reference for understanding the material culture and craftsmanship of the period through detailed examination of surviving metalwork pieces.

Scholars and museum professionals regard this catalog as a foundational resource for the study of early medieval metalwork. Readers frequently note the technical precision of the entries, which provide essential data for comparative archaeological research.