Penannular in form with tightly twisted central band, pointed finials. 80 grams, 76 mm

From a London collection; acquired on the UK and European art markets before 2001.

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.XLV(6), for type.

With braided wire handle, applied wire bands to the rim, granulation to the sidewall and base, five cells each set with a cabochon garnet. 3.02 grams, 19 mm

Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.

Cf. Khrapunov, I. and 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; 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.

Suspension ring with ends wound around the shank, triangular axehead pendant. 2.21 grams, 43 mm

Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985.
From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.

Restrung group of carnelian oblate and spherical beads, parcel-gilt silver dangles with applied granules, silver lobed cross pendant with granules and central cabochon garnet. 82 grams, 58 cm long

From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.102(4a), for type.

C-shaped in section with square butts, bands of punched linear, crescent and pellet ornament. 81 grams, 76 mm

Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.

A flat-section Mordvinian type brooch comprising a penannular band and two trapezoidal plates; the tongue round-section with flat scroll around the band; the plates each with raised pellets. 12.5 grams, 63 mm

Private European collection formed before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex gentleman.

See Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.XLIV, item 11.

Composed of two twisted rods joined and flattened at the terminals, incised chevron decoration to each. 40 grams, 66 mm

Private collection formed in the 1990s.
Acquired from a London gallery.
Property of an Essex gentleman.

With volute scroll terminal, raised beast-head detail with niello inlay; attachment pin through as pierced lug. 8.6 grams, 36 mm

Found Cambridgeshire, UK.

Gold cup with hoop and suspension loop, aqua glass insert. 0.55 grams, 16 mm

From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period.

With engraved foliate decoration, two pairs of stylised beast heads to the sides, a central hole for attachment. 61 grams, 90 mm

Believed to have been found in the UK.
Acquired from C & T Auctioneers, Ashord, Kent, UK.
Property of a Shropshire private collector.

Stem with roughly round-section lower body and rectangular-section upper body with penannular loop, a free-running ring suspended from the hoop with a biconvex outer wall and hatched decoration. 4.98 grams, 65 mmVery fine condition.

UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s.
Property of an English gentleman.

Lead trade weight or gaming piece with inset irregular issue Styca with blundered legends, dating to c.843/4-c.855 A.D. 13.6 grams, 18 mm

Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK.

For the coin cf. Spink, Coins of England & the United Kingdom, p.109, no.872.