Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Urnes Beast Mount

Hanger with addorsed horse-heads each on a curved neck, transverse bar below with six loops to the underside, median loop above; each lower loop with attached length of chai supporting a rumbler bell or jingle. 120 grams, 17.5 cm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.

Matched pair of bridle fittings formed as two opposing fantastical creatures with their heads turned back and front legs resting on a globe forming a passage for a strap, the bodies decorated with bands of herringbone decoration. 79.2 grams total, 79 mm each



From a European collection, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13379-257911.

On these types of horse-bits, two heads or a head/tail normally face each other. But an unusual piece from Edsvära in Västergötland, Sweden, depicts two heads turned outwards, like in the current example. The mount from Edsvära, with its attached iron bit, was found in 1906 next to a horse's skeleton.

Comprising a cross patonce with low-relief pellet decoration, surrounded by a circular frame with integral suspension loop. 4.25 grams, 32 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.