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LOT 0312
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Urnes Style Entwined Beast Stirrup Mount
11TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (30.48 grams, 54 mm).
A rare variant of Williams's Class A Type 10b, a heater-shaped plaque with pierced lug at the apex, two piercings below, low-relief openwork Urnes style design with standing beast and entwined tendrils, narrow ledge to the reverse, the apex terminating in a diamond shape.
ProvenanceFound Cambridgeshire, UK.
LiteratureCf. Williams, D., Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, item 55, for type.
FootnotesThe mount has the decorative scheme of Williams's Class A Type 10b but its proportions are closer to his Class A Type 11 with a narrow and elongated upper knop.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0312
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Urnes Style Entwined Beast Stirrup Mount
Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
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Viking Age Bronze Decorated Bracelet
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Penannular square-section shank with punched detailing to the upper faces; narrow lentoid-section finials. 58 grams, 77 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Large Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch Pair
9th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Comprising: two elliptical bronze tortoise brooches, each a domed openwork shell with raised ornament of five bell-shaped studs and four Borre Style beasts; frieze of profile beasts to the lower edge and flange rim; catchplate, pin-hinge and pendant attachment bar to the reverse with mineralised remains of textile backing; repaired. 218 grams total, 10.8-11.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Viking Period Gold 'Elf Shot' Pendant
9th-11th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £715
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.
