[MR] Book Review: Saxon Art

[Garth Groff]

Noble friends,

Just received at the UVA libraries: THE ART OF ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND by 
Catherine E. Karkov (ISBN 97818433836285; our call # N6763 .K37 2011). 
Accomplishments of the Anglo-Saxons are too often overlooked in favor of 
Normans. This lovely book is an exploration of Anglo-Saxon art forms, 
showing that theirs was a fully developed and vibrant culture. The 
author skillfully explores Anglo-Saxon material culture against its 
historical context. Naturally, the focus is on religious and regal 
works, since those examples are more likely to survive, but the author 
also explores aspects of everyday life through such artifacts as coins, 
brooches, and buckles. The book is well illustrated, and though most 
photos are in black-and-white, there are also eight pages of lovely 
color plates. Some illustrations show typical garments, so this book may 
be useful for Anglo-Saxon costumers. As is usual in scholarly books, 
there is a substantial bibliography and a complete index. This book is a 
must for anyone interested in the Anglo-Saxon period.

Kind regards,


Lord Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir's Unofficial Librarian
(aka Garth Groff, UVA Library cataloger)