Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Stirrup Apex Mount Group

Comprising a trapezoidal openwork plate and integral buckle loop; the loop domed in section with triangular extension to the forward edge and raised billets, flat-section coiled tongue; the plate formed as a facing lupine head with reserved running zigzag to each flanking foreleg attached to the rear of the loop; Western Baltic type. 26.89, 65.98 mm



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

Comprising an integral suspension loop; the openwork plaque with banded border and panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping three-fingered hands to the body and border, two detailed feet, clearly visible facing mask below the loop with pellet eyes. 8.69 grams, 40 mm



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

A conical gaming piece or trade weight with an inlaid bronze disc at the top. 22.3 grams, 17 mm



Found Wolcot near Folkingham, Lincolnshire, UK, on Tuesday, 1st April 2008. Property of a Scottish private collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LIN-88E805.

This piece would have been used in the board game Hnefatafl. Trade weights and gaming pieces in Anglo-Scandinavian culture were often formed by taking a small and finely-made pre-existing item and embedding it into a lead matrix. The effect of this practice has been to preserve smaller pieces which would otherwise not have survived.