Final answer:
Two examples of intertwining animal and plant motifs from Northern Europe include the intricate interlace on the Sutton Hoo buckle and the carpet page from a Gospel Book, both featuring stylized animals emblematic of that era's art.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examples of Intertwining Animal and Plant Motifs in Northern European Art
One example of an intertwining animal and plant motif from Northern Europe can be found in Anglo-Saxon art, such as on the Sutton Hoo buckle. This artifact features a complex interlace of animals, including a depiction at the tip of the buckle where two animals grip a small dog-like creature in their jaws. The Sutton Hoo buckle embodies Style II, distinguished by more fluid and graceful animals that are entangled in an intricate manner, suggesting the symbolic significance animals held in this culture.
Another example comes from the work of monks in the Early Middle Ages, like those at Durrow or Lindisfarne. A notable instance is the Gospel Book's carpet page, which presents a border filled with interlaced designs and a centerpiece that features an animal representing St. Mark's sigil. This creature, a hybrid with both cat and wolf-like features, is emblematic of the animal motifs prevalent in illuminated manuscripts and the decorative arts from this period.