LOT 0342

Large Viking Age Volga-Bulgar Gilt Silver Plate with Horse and Riders

10TH-11TH CENTURY AD

13 3/4" (259 grams, 34.8cm).

A large sheet-silver platter with rolled edge and scalloped border to the bowl; rim with three panels of dense niello-filled scrollwork and three roundels each with a gilt quatrefoil; repoussé fluted border with raised knop at the apex of each scallop; central motif of a horseman advancing with horn in his raised hand, gilded with niello outline and incised linear detailing, within a heavy guilloche border with gilded outer ring; enclosing band of heavy niello ornament, a parcel-gilt frieze comprising two horn-bearing riders, two opposed lions, two opposed panthers(?), a goose (or swan?) attacked by a bird of prey, a bowman with recurved bow in one hand and quiver slung horizontally at his waist, a bear advancing towards him. [No Reserve]

Property of a gentleman; acquired on the UK art market in 1999; formerly in a private German collection, since the 1980s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.11008-181735.