Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Borre Knot Disc Brooch

With a round-section penannular body with expanding terminals; the upper face with punched dot motifs and herringbone pattern to the flaring terminals. 14.6 grams, 61 mm



UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

Gold cup with hoop and suspension loop, with glass insert. 1.37 grams, 17 mm



Ex property of a late Japanese 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.

A rectangular bronze pendant formed as a pair of addorsed horse-heads in profile and openwork panel; bar with seven articulated chains each terminating in a pendant formed as the foot of a wading bird, Finno-Ugric type. 146 grams, 15 cm



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