Large Viking Age Bronze Bar with Coiled Wire Neck Torc

Each a heater-shaped plaque with indented upper edge, domed obverse with stylised animal-mask detailing in a beaded border; mounting pins to reverse, remains of leather; Avar workmanship. 5.37 grams total, 20-21 mm



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

With a thick penannular loop and polyhedral finial set with twelve garnet cloisons. 6.36 grams, 34 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Decorated sheet gold sleeve, hoof-shaped stone mounted in the socket; loop absent. 0.18 grams, 10 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

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.