Integral loop, border enclosing a low-relief image of a male facing mask between two birds embraced at the necks. 3.58 grams, 24 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Cf. Hammond, B. M., British Artefacts Volume 2 - Middle Saxon and Viking, p.57, item 1.5.3-f.; and Korshyn, V.E., Yazcheskye Priveski Drevnei Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Moscow, 2013, item M.2.02.

The iconography of the pendant is evidently based on the mythological representation of Odin, whose ravens, Huginn and Muninn, were his spirit companions and confidents. Huginn and Muninn travelled around the world bringing news and information to their master. Odin sent them out at dawn to gather information and they returned in the evening, sitting on the god's shoulders and whispering the news into his ears. It is from these ravens that the raven-god kenning representing Odin was derived.

Formed as a gold cap set with polished garnet; free-running suspension loop above. 0.54 grams, 17 mm

Acquired 1970-2010.
Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.

Adorned with filigree wire and twisted wire collars. 0.91 grams, 10 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Strap connector with rectangular panel to the middle with four bosses to each side; short bar with lozenge-shaped strap holes, knops to each point. 26.6 grams, 83 mm

Found UK.
Ex North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000.

Integral suspension loop, Borre style regardant beast in relief to one face, raised chevrons to the loop. 10.1 grams, 41 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Stamped with sunburst or flowerhead motifs to both faces. 16.4 grams, 30 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Of piriform shape with collar and loop above, scrolled tendril motifs to each face; Baltic. 23.6 grams, 38 mm

Acquired on the German art market before 2000.
From an old Munich collection.

Adorned with repoussé chevrons and applied granules; replaced loop. 1.17 grams, 15 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

See Khrapunov, I. & Stylegar, F.A., Inter Ambo Maria, Contacts between Scandinavia and the Crimea in the Roman Period; Бажан И, А., Каргапольцев С, Ю, 1989, Об одной категории украшений-амулетов римского времени в Восточной Европе, СА, No.3; also see Meaney, A., Anglo-Saxon Amulets and Curing Stones, Oxford, BAR British Series 96, 1981, p.166-168, for discussion of the type.

Pendants in the form of miniature buckets have been found in a number of pagan Anglo-Saxon and Viking contexts and are generally made of bronze or iron, with gold examples being rare; three gold examples were found with the hoard from Hoen, Norway. Bronze bucket amulets have been found at Driffield in Yorkshire, and Vimose bog in Denmark, among other places. In form they represent wooden buckets bound with bronze or iron bands which have been found in Anglo-Saxon and Viking graves and are believed to have held mead or ale and were used to replenish the cups from which warriors drank. As amulets they probably represent the ecstatic power of alcoholic drink and the role of women as the dispensers of these precious beverages.

Pierced for rivets for mounting; mostly Thomas's Class A (Types 1,2,5) Class B (Type 2) with interlace or geometric schemes; with an appliqué mount with facing mask and hood ending in bird-heads. 50 grams total, 32-45 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

See Thomas, G., Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking Age Strap-Ends 750-1100: Part 1, Finds Research Group datasheet 32, Sleaford, 2007.

Formed with a tongue-shaped body, of Williams's Class A Type 11 with pierced trefoil lug above, ledge to the reverse, two fixing holes, high-relief profile wolf with head thrown back; Anglo-Scandinavian or Viking. 23.88 grams, 49 mm

Found near Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK.

Cf. Williams, D., Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, p.59.

The cross forming suspension loops on its back, engraved and punched feather and eye detailing; pin lug and catchplate to reverse; likely Weetch type 30B. 7.02 grams, 34 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Cf. The British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme, record id. SUR-F46DF7, for type.

The profile of the bird's beak suggests this is an eagle (symbolic of the Resurrection and St John) rather than a dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit), although either are a possibility. There is a group of three pierced holes on the bird's breast which might symbolise the Holy Trinity.

Comprising three Baltic short spear and javelins heads with lentoid-section lanceolate blade, two with short neck and one with elongated socket, all with tapering circular socket with forge-welded split, remains of wood inside the shafts. 545 grams total, 25.5-30 cm

Acquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIII, items 26-27.

The Curonians were known as fierce warriors, excellent sailors and pirates. They were involved in several wars and alliances with Swedish, Danish and Icelandic Vikings. Baltic tribes created an original and impressive set of weaponry. They included battle knives, battle axes and spears and javelins with medium sized heads of a characteristic shape.